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Published  by  the  author  of  this  volume,  and  for  sale 
by  James  Munroe  &  Company,  134,  Washington  Street, 
Boston  :  — 

1.  A  New  Translation  of  the  Book  of  Job,  with  an 
Introduction  and  Notes,  chiefly  explanatory.  Second  Edi- 
tion.    1838. 

2.  A  New  Translation  of  the  Hebrew  Prophets,  ar- 
ranged in  Chronological  Order,  with  Notes,  &;c.  In  Three 
Volumes.     Second  Edition.     1843. 

3.  A  New  Translation  of  the  Proverbs,  Ecclesiastes, 
and  the  Canticles,  with  Introductions  and  Notes,  chiefly 
explanatory.     1846. 


A 

NEW     TRANSLATION 

OF 

THE  PSALMS. 


NEW   TRANSLATION 


BOOK    OF     PSALMS, 


AN  INTRODUCTION, 


NOTES,   CHIEFLY    EXPLANATORY. 


By   GEORGE   R.  NOYES,  D.  D., 

HANCOCK   PROFESSOR   OF   HEBREW,    ETC.,   AND   DEXTER  LECTURER 
IN  HARVARD  UNIVERSITY. 


SECOND     EDITI ON. 


BOSTON: 
JAMES    MUNROE    AND    COMPANY. 

LONDON: 

CHAPMAN,  BROTHERS,  121,  NEWGATE  ST. 

1846. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1846,  by 
James  Munroe  and  Company, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


CAMBRIDGE: 

METCALF  AND  COMPANY, 

PRINTERS  TO   THE  UNIVERSITY. 


INTRODUCTION. 


I.     General  Character  and  Value  of  the  Psalms. 

The  Book  of  Psalms  has  been  styled  by  some  of  the  German 
critics,  in  allusion  to  a  portion  of  Grecian  literature,  The  Hebrew 
Anthology  ;  that  is,  a  collection  of  the  lyric,  moral,  historical, 
and  elegiac  poetry  of  the  Hebrews.  Regarded  in  this  light  alone, 
it  presents  a  most  interesting  subject  of  literary  taste  and  curi- 
osity. Many  of  these  psalms  must  have  been  composed  some 
hundreds  of  years  before  the  period  which  is  commonly  assigned 
to  the  origin  of  the  Iliad  of  Homer.  But  it  is  not  with  them 
as  with  many  of  the  productions  of  the  classic  Muse,  of  which  the 
antiquity  constitutes  their  greatest  claim  upon  the  attention  of  the 
scholar,  and  of  which  the  subjects  possess  little  or  no  interest  for 
the  world  in  its  manhood.  It  was  the  privilege  of  the  Hebrew 
bards  to  be  employed  upon  subjects  possessing  an  interest  as  en- 
during as  the  attributes  of  God  and  the  nature  of  dependent  man. 
Their  poetry  has  the  deep  foundation  of  eternal  truth.  It  comes, 
for  the  most  part,  in  language  the  most  glowing,  from  the  very 
depths  of  the  soul,  rich  in  sentiments  adapted  to  the  soul's  most 
urgent  wants.  Hence  its  living  spirit,  its  immortal  freshness. 
Hence  its  power  of  reaching  the  hearts  of  all  men,  in  all  countries 
and  in  all  ages.  Where,  in  the  whole  compass  of  literature,  can 
one  find  more  of  the  "  thoughts  that  breathe  and  words  that  burn  " 
than  in  the  Hebrew  Anthology]  Then,  too,  what  variety  is  there 
in  the  subjects  of  these  ancient  compositions  !  How  diverse  the 
states  of  heart  and  fortune  that  occasioned  them  !  How  various 
1* 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

the  strains  of  joy,  sorrow,  gratitude,  love,  hope,  confidence,  fear, 
remorse,  and  penitence,  which  come  from  the  sacred  lyre  !  There 
is  scarcely  a  conceivable  state  of  the  human  soul,  in  which  one 
may  not  repair  to  the  Psalter,  as  it  were  to  a  sympathizing  friend. 

What  a  sensation  would  be  produced  in  the  literary  world  by 
such  a  collection  of  poetry  as  is  presented  in  the  Book  of  Psalms, 
could  it  come  recommended  by  the  attraction  of  novelty  !  But  the 
truth  is,  that,  in  general,  the  ear  is  accustomed  to  these  admirable 
productions,  before  the  mind  can  comprehend  their  meaning  or 
feel  their  beauty  ;  so  that,  in  maturer  life,  it  requires  no  incon- 
siderable effort  to  give  them  that  attention  which  is  necessary  for 
the  reception  of  the  impressions  they  are  adapted  to  impart. 

Another  obstacle  to  a  proper  estimate  of  the  poetry  of  the  Scrip- 
tures is  the  very  imperfect  translation,  and  wretched  arrangement, 
in  which  it  has  been  presented  to  English  readers.  Let  the  lover 
of  poetry  imagine  what  impressions  he  should  receive  from  the 
odes  of  CoUins  or  Gray,  cut  up  into  fragments  like  the  verses  in 
the  common  version  of  the  Bible,  and  he  may  comprehend  what 
injustice  has  been  done  to  the  Hebrew  poets. 

The  compositions  in  the  Book  of  Psalms  are  the  productions  of 
various  authors  and  periods,  belong  to  different  species  of  poetry, 
and  possess  various  degrees  of  poetic  merit.  While  some  of  them 
present  the  fresh  gushes  of  excited  feeling,  or  the  calmer  expres- 
sion of  the  sublimest  sentiments,  in  the  boldest  language  of  poetry, 
others  consist  only  of  moral  maxims  artificially  arranged  in  a  sen- 
tentious style,  or  of  elaborate  and  imitative  prayers  and  praises, 
prepared  for  the  public  worship  of  God. 

The  Psalms,  says  De  Wette,  are  lyric  poems.  This  is  all  that 
is  implied  in  the  name  which  they  bear.  ^Fa^i^iog,  from  xpdUtiv, 
chordas  tangere,  jidihus  canere,  signifies  the  music  of  a  stringed 
instrument,  the  sound  of  the  lyre;  then,  a  song  sung  to  the  music  of 
the  lyre.  This  word  is  used  by  the  Alexandrian  translators  for  the 
Hebrew  nbjD,  as  well  as  il'uUeir  for  the  verb  "i^^T  ;  but  these 
Hebrew  words,  whatever  may  be  their  etymology,  have  the  signi- 
fication of  song  accompanied  with  music.  Psalter  (-ifaXnlQiov) ,  the 
name  which,  in  imitation  of  the  Greeks,  we  give  to  the  collection 
of  Psalms,  properly  denotes  a  stringed  instrument;  and  the  appel- 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

lation  is  to  be  understood  in  the  same  manner  as  when  we  give  to 
a  collection  of  lyric  poems  the  title  of  The  Lyre.  The  Jews  call 
the  Psalms  D'Snn,  songs  of  praise^  and  the  collection  D"'bnr)  n.3p, 
also,  abbreviated,  D'bn,  an  appellation  which  applies  to  a  part 
only  of  the  Psalms.  The  term,  □n.DT?  or  Dn^K^,  songs,  odes, 
would  be  more  correct. 

The  Psalms  are  lyric,  in  the  proper  sense ;  for  with  the  He- 
brews, as  in  the  ancient  world  generally,  song  and  music  were 
connected,  and  the  titles  to  most  of  the  Psalms  determine  their 
connection  with  music,  though  in  a  manner  which  is  unintelligible 
to  us.  These  compositions  deserve,  moreover,  the  name  of  lyric, 
on  account  of  their  character  as  works  of  taste.  The  essence  of 
lyric  poetry  is  the  immediate  expression  of  feeling  ;  and  feeling  is 
the  sphere  to  which  most  of  the  Psalms  belong.  Pain,  sorrow, 
fear,  hope,  joy,  confidence,  gratitude,  submission  to  God,  every 
thing  that  moves  and  elevates  the  soul,  is  expressed  in  these 
hymns. 

In  the  Psalms  we  have  merely  the  remains  of  the  lyric  poetry 
of  the  Hebrews.  The  productions  of  this  class  were  undoubtedly 
far  more  numerous  than  would  seem  to  have  been  the  case  from 
these  remains,  and  spread  through  a  wider  and  more  diversified 
field.  The  Psalter  is  chiefly  composed  of  religious  and  devotional 
hymns  ;  but  it  cannot  be  maintained  that  the  lyric  poetry  of  the 
Hebrews  was  exclusively  devoted  to  the  service  of  religion  and 
of  public  worship.  Tlie  supposition  is  sufficiently  contradicted 
by  those  invaluable  examples  of  another  species  of  lyric  poetry, 
which  are  preserved  in  other  parts  of  the  Scriptures  ;  such  as 
David's  elegy  over  Saul  and  Jonathan,  the  song  at  the  well 
(Numb.  xxi.  17),  and  especially  the  Song  of  Solomon  ;  although 
the  last  belongs  to  a  somewhat  different  branch  of  poetical  compo- 
sition. In  the  Book  of  Psalms  itself,  there  is  one  production 
which  possesses  an  altogether  secular  character,  namely,  Psalm 
xlv.  For  most  of  the  hymns  which  are  extant,  we  are  indebted 
probably  to  the  religious  use  to  which  they  were  consecrated, 
rather  than  to  any  common  poetical  sympathy  ;  and  hence  so  few 
secular  songs  have  been  preserved  from  destruction. 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

In  respect  to  their  contents  and  character,  the  Psalms  have  been 
classified  in  the  following  manner.* 

I.  Hymns  in  praise  of  Jehovah.  1.  Generally  as  God  of  na- 
ture and  of  man,  Ps.  viii.,  civ.,  cxlv.  2.  As  God  of  nature  and 
of  Israel,  Ps.  xix.,  xxix.,  xxxiii.,  Ixv.,  xciii.,  cxxxv.,  cxxxvi., 
cxlvii.,  and  others.  3.  As  God  of  Israel,  Ps.  xlvii.,  Ixvi.,  Ixvii., 
Ixxv.  4.  As  the  saviour  and  helper  of  Israel,  Ps.  xlvi.,  xlvii., 
xlviii.,  Ixxv.,  Ixxvi.;  and  of  individuals,  Ps.  xviii.,  xxx.,  cxxxviii., 
and  others. 

II.  National  psalms,  containing  allusions  to  the  ancient  history 
of  the  Israelites,  and  to  the  relation  of  the  people  to  Jehovah, 
Ps.  Ixxviii.,  cv.,  cvi.,  cxiv. 

III.  Psalms  of  Zion  and  of  the  temple,  Ps.  xv.,  xxiv.,  Ixviii., 
Ixxxi.,  Ixxxvii.,  cxxxii.,  cxxxiv.,  cxxxv. 

IV.  Psalms  relating  to  the  king,  Ps.  ii.,  xx.,  xxi.,  xlv.,  Ixxii., 
ex. 

V.  Psalms  which  contain  complaints  under  affliction  and  the 
persecution  of  enemies,  and  prayers  for  succour  ;  the  most  nu- 
merous class,  comprising  more  than  a  third  part  of  the  vi^hole  col- 
lection. These  psalms  of  complaint  are, —  1.  Personal,  relating 
to  the  case  of  an  individual,  Ps.  vii.,  xxii.,  Iv.,  Ivi.,  cix.,  and 
others.  2.  National,  Ps.  xliv.,  Ixxiv.,  Ixxix.,  Ixxx.,  cxxxvii., 
and  others.  3.  Personal  and  national  at  the  same  time,  Ps.  Ixix., 
Ixxvii,,  cii.  From  these  divisions  proceed  still  others.  4.  Gen- 
eral psalms  of  complaint,  reflections  on  the  wickedness  of  the 
world,  Ps.  x.,  xii.,  xiv.,  xxxvi.  5.  Didactic  psalms,  respecting 
the  condition  of  the  pious  and  the  godless,  Ps.  xxxvii.,  xlix., 
Ixxiii.  6.  Psalms  of  thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  enemies, 
which  also  pass  over  into  the  first  class,  Ps.  xxxiv.,  xl.  and 
others. 

VI.  Religious  and  moral  psalms.  1.  Odes  to  Jehovah  with 
special  allusions,  Ps.  xc,  cxxxix.  2.  Expressions  of  religious 
conviction,  hope,  confidence,  Ps.  xxiii.,  xci.,  cxxi.,  cxxvii., 
cxxviii.    3.  Expressions  of  religious  experience,  resolutions,  &c., 

*  See  De  Wette's  Commentar  tlber  die  Psalmen,  p.  3.  Biblical 
Repository  for  1833,  p.  448. 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

Ps.  xlii.,  xliii.,  ci.,  cxxxi.  4.  Development  of  religious  or  moral 
ideas,  Ps.  i.,  cxxxiii.  5.  Didactic  poems  relating-  to  religion, 
Ps.  xxxii.,  1.  6.  Collections  of  proverbs,  in  alphabetical  order, 
Ps.  cxix.  The  few  which  cannot  be  brought  under  any  of  the 
foregoing  classes  and  divisions  either  constitute  new  ones  by 
themselves  or  possess  an  intermediate  character. 

It  will  be  perceived,  tliat,  in  this  classification,  proposed  by 
De  Wette,  no  place  is  assigned  to  psalms  relating  to  the  Messiah. 
This  is  in  accordance  with  the  opinion  of  the  above-mentioned 
distinguished  commentator,  and  others,  who  reject  the  doctrine  of 
a  double  sense  in  the  Scriptures,  that  there  is  not  in  the  Book  of 
Psalms  any  prediction  relating  to  the  Messiah.  The  question 
whether  any,  and,  if  any,  how  many,  of  the  Psalms  relate  to  the 
Messiah,  is  attended  wuth  considerable  difficulty.  At  first  view, 
it  would  be  natural  to  expect  that  the  lyrical  productions  of  the 
Jewish  poets,  as  well  as  the  writings  of  the  prophets,  would  con- 
tain allusions  to  the  Messiah.  But  when  we  come  to  examine 
those  which  have  been  chiefly  referred  to  as  containing  the  Mes- 
sianic hopes,  such  as  the  ii.,  xvi.,  xxii.,  xl.,  xlv.,  Ixxii.,  ex.,  we 
seem  to  find,  on  the  principles  of  historical  interpretation  which 
are  applied  to  all  other  books,  in  some  of  them  no  predictions 
whatever,  but  only  references  to  the  past  or  the  present;  in  others, 
only  glowing  anticipations,  which  seem  to  refer  to  the  writer  of 
the  psalm,  or  to  Jewish  kings  contemporary  with  him.  The  ques- 
tion can  be  decided  only  by  a  critical  examination  of  each  psalm. 
But  it  deserves  consideration,  whether  Christ  may  not  be  said  to 
have  fulfilled  what  is  written  in  the  Psalms  concerning  him,  when 
he  filled  out,  or  completed,  what  was  valuable  in  the  experience, 
or  precious  in  the  hopes,  of  David  and  other  servants  of  God, 
which  are  the  proper  subjects  of  the  Psalms.  His  life  and  suflfer- 
ings  were  analogous  to  theirs,  but  of  a  higher  character  and 
attended  with  more  glorious  results.  This  view  is  confirmed  by 
the  interpretation  of  the  Psalms  which  has  generally  prevailed  in 
the  Christian  church.  The  ever-recurring  remark  of  the  common 
expositor  is,  "  This  psalm  in  part  refers  to  David,  and  in  part  to 
Jesus  Christ"  ;  or,  "  This  psalm  is  fulfilled  in  a  lower  sense  in 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

David,  but  in  a  higher  and  better  sense  in  Christ."  But  the  sup- 
position that  the  psalm  itself  contains  more  senses  than  one  seems 
to  contradict  all  just  views  of  the  nature  of  language.  In  regard 
to  some  of  the  references  *  made  to  the  Psalms  by  Paul  and  Peter, 
and  the  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  it  seems  necessary 
to  suppose  that  they  were  not  inspired  as  critics  and  interpreters, 
but  that  they  argued  according  to  a  mode  of  reasoning  and  of  inter- 
pretation which  they  held  in  common  with  their  contemporaries, 
but  which  cannot  be  regarded  as  valid  at  the  present  day. 

Now  it  is  an  indisputable  fact,  that  the  ancient  Jews,  without 
regard  to  any  just  laws  of  interpretation,  and  especially  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  typical  or  the  allegorical  method,  applied  hundreds  of 
passages  of  the  Old  Testament  to  the  Messiah,  which  no  one  in 
modern  times  can  suppose  to  relate  to  him.f  It  would  be  singu- 
lar, therefore,  if  we  did  not  find  traces  of  the  same  mode  of  apply- 
ing Scriptural  passages  in  the  writers  of  the  New  Testament. 

It  is  probable,  that,  in  some  cases,  the  reference  in  the  New 
Testament  to  a  passage  in  the  Psalms  is  merely  in  the  way  of 
rhetorical  illustration,  or  oi  argumentum  ex  concessis;  for  instance, 
in  John  xiii.  18,  Matt.  xxii.  44,  &c.  But  this  explanation  cannot 
be  applied  to  such  passages  as  Acts  iv.  25,  xiii.  33,  and  several 
in  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  without  doing  violence  to  language. 

These  observations  are  offered  for  the  consideration  of  those 
who  can  find  no  psalm  of  which,  in  its  primary  sense,  the  Messiah 
is  the  exclusive  subject.  There  are,  however,  two  or  three 
psalms,  such  as  Ps.  ii.  and  Ps.  ex.,  of  which  the  Messiah  is  sup- 
posed to  be  the  exclusive  subject  by  some  distinguished  critics, 
who,  in  the  exposition  of  the  Scriptures,  hold  fast  the  established 
principles  of  interpretation  which  are  applied  to  all  other  books. 
For  those  who  agree  with  them,  some  of  the  preceding  remarks 
may  be  less  necessary. 

Professor  Tholuck,  of  Halle,  observes,  — "  It  must  be  confessed 
that  many  psalms  are  called  Messianic  which  are  not  so  in  reality. 
There  are  some,  for  example,  in  which  the  Messiah  has  been  sup- 

*  Acts  iv.  25,  xiii.  33,  Heb.  i.  5,  6,  x.  5,  &c. 

t  See  Schoettgen's  Horae  Hebraicae  et  Talmudicoo,  passim. 


INTRODUCTION.  H 

posed  to  speak  directly,  and  in  the  first  person.  But  we  are  not 
authorized  to  consider  any  psalms  as  strictly  Messianic  except  the 
second  and  the  hundred  and  tenth  ;  and  in  these  the  Messiah 
does  not  himself  speak,  but  is  spoken  of  in  the  third  person. 
Those  psalms,  in  which  the  poet  introduces  himself  in  the  first 
person,  must  be  regarded  as  the  songs  of  David,  or  of  some  other 
composer."  * 

The  peculiar  religious  character  of  the  Psalms,  which  distin- 
guishes them  from  the  productions  of  other  nations  of  antiquity, 
is  well  worthy  of  the  attention  of  such  as  are  disposed  to  doubt 
the  reality  of  the  Jewish  revelation.  I  do  not  refer  to  the  pro- 
phetic character  which  some  of  them  are  supposed  to  possess, 
but  to  the  comparative  purity  and  fervor  of  religious  feeling  which 
they  manifest ;  the  sublimity  and  justness  of  the  views  of  the 
Deity,  and  of  his  government  of  the  world,  which  they  present ; 
and  the  clear  perception  of  a  spiritual  good,  infinitely  to  be  pre- 
ferred to  any  external  possession,  which  is  found  in  them.  Let 
them  be  considered  as  the  expression  and  fruit  of  the  principles 
of  the  Jewish  religion,  as  they  existed  in  the  minds  of  pious 
Israelites,  and  do  they  not  bear  delightful  testimony  to  the  reality 
of  the  revelation  alleged  to  have  been  made  to  the  Hebrew  nation, 
and  of  the  peculiar  relation  which  the  Most  High  is  said  to  have 
sustained  towards  them  ? 

Let  the  unbeliever  compare  the  productions  of  the  Hebrew 
poets  with  those  of  the  most  enlightened  periods  of  Grecian  litera- 
ture. Let  him  explain  how  it  happened,  that,  in  the  most  cele- 
brated cities  of  antiquity,  which  human  reason  had  adorned  with 
the  most  splendid  trophies  of  art,  whose  architecture  it  is  now 
thought  high  praise  to  imitate  well,  whose  sculpture  almost  gave 
life  to  marble,  whose  poetry  has  never  been  surpassed,  and  whose 
eloquence  has  never  been  equalled,  a  religion  prevailed  so  absurd 
and  frivolous  as  to  be  beneath  the  contempt  f  of  a  child  at  the 

*  See  Bibliotheca  Sacra,  Vol.  I.,  p.  365. 

t  I  speak  of  the  prevailing  religion.  I  do  not  regard  the  excel- 
lent views  of  God  and  providence,  entertained  by  a  few  of  the 
Grecian   philosophers,  such,  for  instance,  as   those  attributed  to 


12  INTRODUCTION. 

present  day  ;  while  in  an  obscure  corner  of  the  world,  in  a  nation 
in  some  respects  imperfectly  civilized,  were  breathed  forth  those 
strains  of  devotion  which  now  animate  the  hearts  of  millions,  and 
are  the  vehicle  of  their  feelings  to  the  throne  of  God.  Let  him 
say  if  there  be  not  some  ground  for  the  conclusion,  that,  whilst 
the  corner-stone  of  the  heathen  systems  of  religion  was  unassisted 
human  reason,  that  of  the  Jew^ish  was  an  immediate  revelation 
from  the  Father  of  lights. 

The  hearts  of  the  pious  for  ages  have  felt  the  value  of  the 
Psalms,  as  helps  to  devotion ;  and  many  have  labored  for  expres- 
sions in  which  to  set  forth  their  praise.  For  its  truth,  as  well  as 
beauty,  we  quote  the  following  description  by  Bishop  Home,  who 
yet  saw  some  things  in  them  which  modern  views  of  interpreta- 
tion will  not  permit  us  to  find. 

*'  In  them,"  says  he,  "  we  are  instructed  to  conceive  of  the 
subjects  of  religion  aright,  and  to  express  the  different  affections 
which,  when  so  conceived  of,  they  must  excite  in  our  minds. 
They  are,  for  this  purpose,  adorned  with  the  figures,  and  set  off 
with  all  the  graces,  of  poetry  ;  and  poetry  itself  is  designed  yet 
farther  to  be  recommended  by  the  charms  of  music  thus  conse- 
crated to  the  service  of  God  ;  that  so  delight  may  prepare  the  way 
for  improvement,  and  pleasure  become  the  handmaid  of  wisdom, 
while  every  turbulent  passion  is  calmed  by  sacred  melody,  and  the 
evil  spirit  is  still  dispossessed  by  the  harp  of  the  son  of  Jesse. 
This  little  volume,  like  the  paradise  of  Eden,  affords  us  in  perfec- 
tion, though  in  miniature,  every  thing  that  groweth  elsewhere, 
'  every  tree  that  is  pleasant  to  the  sight,  and  good  for  food  ' ;  and 
above  all,  what  was  there  lost,  but  is  here  restored,  the  tree  of  life 
in  the  midst  of  the  garden.  That  which  we  read  as  matter  of 
speculation  in  the  other  Scriptures  is  reduced  to  practice  when 
we  recite  it  in  the  Psalms ;  in  those,  faith  and  repentance  are  de- 
scribed, but  in  these  they  are  acted  ;  by  a  perusal  of  the  former 
we  learn  how  others  served  God,  but  by  using  the  latter  we  serve 
him  ourselves." 


Socrates  in  the  Memorabilia  of  Xenophon,  as  inconsistent  with  the 
tenor  of  my  remarks. 


INTRODUCTION  I3 

*'  The  hymns  of  David,"  says  Milman,  "  excel  no  less  in  sub- 
limity and  tenderness  of  expression  than  in  loftiness  and  purity 
of  religious  sentiment.  In  comparison  with  them,  the  sacred  po- 
etry of  all  other  nations  sinks  into  mediocrity.  They  have  em- 
bodied so  exquisitely  the  universal  language  of  religious  emotion, 
that  (a  few  fierce  and  vindictive  passages  excepted,  natural  in 
the  warrior-poet  of  a  sterner  age)  they  have  entered,  with  un- 
questioned propriety,  into  the  ritual  of  the  holier  and  more  perfect 
religion  of  Christ.  The  songs,  which  cheered  the  solitude  of  the 
desert  caves  of  Engedi,  or  resounded  from  the  voice  of  the  Hebrew 
people,  as  they  wound  along  the  glens  or  the  hill-sides  of  Judea, 
have  been  repeated  for  ages  in  almost  every  part  of  the  habitable 
world,  in  the  remotest  islands  of  the  ocean,  among  the  forests  of 
America,  or  the  sands  of  Africa.  How  many  human  hearts  have 
they  softened,  purified,  exalted  I  Of  how  many  wretched  beings 
have  they  been  the  secret  consolation  !  On  how  many  communi- 
ties have  they  drawn  down  the  blessings  of  Divine  Providence, 
by  bringing  the  affections  into  unison  with  their  deep  devotional 
fervor !  ' ' 

Luther,  in  his  preface  to  the  Psalter,  has  the  following  just  re- 
marks :  —  "A  human  heart  is  like  a  ship  on  a  wild  sea,  driven 
by  liigh  winds  from  the  four  quarters  of  the  world.  Here  rush 
fear  and  anxiety  on  account  of  future  calamity,  there  press  afflic- 
tion and  sorrow,  caused  by  present  evil ;  here  blow  hope  and  con- 
fidence in  future  prosperity,  there  come  security  and  joy  in  present 
good.  These  high  winds  teach  a  man  to  speak  with  earnestness, 
to  open  his  heart,  and  pour  out  the  bottom  of  it.  For  he  who  is 
in  fear  and  distress  speaks  of  trouble  very  differently  from  one 
who  is  in  joy  ;  and  he  who  is  in  joy  speaks  of  joy  very  differently 
from  one  who  is  in  fear.  It  comes  not  from  the  heart,  it  is  said, 
when  a  sad  man  laughs,  or  a  joyful  man  weeps  ;  that  is,  the  bot- 
tom of  his  heart  stands  not  open,  and  nothing  comes  forth.  But 
what  is  the  greater  part  of  the  Psalter,  but  such  earnest  speech  in 
the  midst  of  high  winds  of  every  kind  1  Where  do  we  find  a 
sweeter  voice  of  joy  than  in  the  psalms  of  thanksgiving  and 
praise  ?  There  you  look  into  the  heart  of  all  the  holy,  as  into  a 
beautiful  garden,  as  into  heaven  itself.  What  delicate,  sweet, 
2 


14  INTRODUCTION. 

and  lovely  flowers  are  there  springing  up  of  all  manner  of  beauti- 
ful, joyous  thoughts  towards  God  and  his  goodness  I  On  the 
other  hand,  where  do  you  find  more  profound,  mournful,  pathetic 
expressions  of  sorrow  than  the  plaintive  psalms  contain  ?  There 
again  you  look  into  the  heart  of  all  the  holy,  as  into  death,  yea, 
as  into  the  pit  of  despair.  How  dark  and  gloomy  is  it  there,  in 
consequence  of  all  manner  of  melancholy  apprehension  of  God's 
displeasure?  So  also  when  the  Psalmists  speak  of  fear  or  hope, 
they  use  such  words,  that  no  painter  could  so  delineate,  and  no 
Cicero  or  eloquent  orator  so  describe  them." 

Perhaps  the  maledictions  or  imprecations,  contained  in  some  of 
the  psalms,  may  appear  inconsistent  with  the  views  which  have 
been  advanced.  I  am  here  willing  to  admit  the  unsoundness  of 
some  of  the  explanations  which  have  been  given  of  these  impre- 
cations. They  cannot  all,  as  has  been  supposed,  be  regarded  as 
predictions  or  denunciations  of  the  punishment  which  awaits  evil- 
doers. Some  of  them,  at  least,  are  wishes  or  prayers.  See 
Ps.  cxxxvii.  8.  But  on  this  subject  it  should  be  remembered 
that  — 

I.  Many  prayers  against  enemies,  contained  in  the  Psalms,  are 
equivalent  to  prayers  for  personal  safety.  They  were  composed 
by  the  head  of  the  nation,  in  a  state  of  war,  when  prayer  for  the 
destruction  of  enemies  was  equivalent  to  prayer  for  preservation 
and  success.  So  Christian  ministers  are  accustomed  to  pray  for 
success  for  the  arms  of  their  country.  So  on  our  national  festivals 
we  are  accustomed  to  thank  God  that  he  enabled  our  fathers  to 
overcome  their  enemies.  What  is  harsh,  therefore,  in  prayers  of 
this  kind  is  incidental  to  a  state  of  warfare.  This  explanation 
will  also  apply  to  the  psalms  composed  by  David  during  his  perse- 
cution by  Saul.  These  prayers  should  never  be  used  by  private 
Christians  with  respect  to  personal  enemies. 

II.  Another  consideration  is,  that  those  prayers  are  expressed 
in  the  strong  language  of  poetry  ;  and  that  some  of  the  particular 
thoughts  and  expressions,  which  are  connected  with  the  general 
subject  of  the  prayer,  result  from  an  effort  for  poetic  embellish- 
ment and  effect,  rather  than  from  vindictiveness  of  feeling. 

ITT.  The  imprecations  which  are  not  included  in  the  classes 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

above  mentioned  are  extremely  few.  I  shall  not  undertake  to 
reconcile  a  part  of  Ps.  Ixix.,  cix.,  and  cxxxvii.  with  the  spirit 
of  the  Jewish  religion,  and  far  less  with  the  spirit  of  Him  who 
said,  "  Forgive,  and  ye  shall  be  forgiven,"  and  who  spent  his  last 
breath  in  prayer  for  his  murderers,  —  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for 
they  know  not  what  they  do  !  " 

But  is  it  strange  that  a  human  soul  should  be  embittered  by 
persecution  so  as  occasionally  to  utter  a  sentiment  inconsistent 
with  the  religion  which  it  professes  ;  that  one,  who  had  even 
spared  the  life  of  his  deadly  enemy  when  entirely  in  his  power, 
should,  under  circumstances  of  great  provocation,  express  personal 
feelings  inconsistent  with  his  own  general  character,  and  with  the 
spirit  of  his  religion  1  Why  should  not  the  language  of  David, 
as  well  as  his  conduct,  be  sometimes  inconsistent  with  what  is 
right?  It  must  be  remembered,  too,  that,  in  the  Jewish  rehgion, 
the  duty  of  forgiveness  had  been  less  insisted  on,  because  the  age 
was  not  prepared  to  comprehend  it.  The  law  was  our  school- 
master to  bring  us  unto  Christ.  There  are  no  imaginable  circum- 
stances in  which  Christians  would  be  justifiable  in  using  the 
language  of  the  psalms  above  referred  to,  or  similar  language,  in 
their  addresses  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

A  writer  in  the  Andover  Bibliotheca  Sacra*  has  undertaken, 
if  we  understand  him,  to  maintain  the  absolute  rectitude  of  all 
these  imprecations,  and  their  immediate  inspiration  by  the  Deity. 
But  if  this  be  so,  then  are  Christian  ministers  in  general  very 
deficient  in  their  duty,  and  there  is  far  too  little  cursing  in  Chris- 
tian pulpits.  If  the  psalms  in  question  are  consistent  with  abso- 
lute rectitude,  then  our  Saviour's  precept,  to  "  bless  them  that 
curse  us,  and  to  pray  for  them  that  despitefully  use  us,"  cannot 
be;  unless,  indeed,  to  pray /or  our  enemies  be  to  pray  that  "  in- 
iquity may  be  added  to  their  iniquity,"  "  that  they  may  be  blotted 
out  of  the  book  of  the  living,"  "  that  there  may  be  none  to  show 
them  compassion,  and  none  to  pity  their  fatherless  children," 
and  that  "their  little  ones  may  be  taken  and  dashed  against  the 
stones." 

*  Vol.  I.,  p.  102. 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

It  was  not,  I  suppose,  a  want  of  common  sense  or  of  Christian 
feeling-,  but  adherence  to  an  unfounded  theory  of  inspiration,  that 
led  the  writer  in  the  Bibliotheca  Sacra  to  maintain  a  view  ap- 
parently so  inconsistent,  not  only  with  the  precepts  and  spirit  of 
Christ,  but  with  the  general  feelings  of  the  Christian  church. 
For  the  attempt  to  explain  the  imprecations  of  the  Psalms  as  sim- 
ple predictions,  which  has  been  made  by  interpreters  from  the 
time  of  Augustin  *  to  the  present  day,  shows  the  uncongeniality 
of  such  imprecations  with  the  feelings  of  Christians.  A  recent 
Orthodox  commentator  on  the  Psalms,  well  known  by  some  of 
his  writings  which  have  been  translated  in  this  country,  adopts 
substantially  the  view  which  I  have  given  of  the  subject.  Having 
suggested  every  excuse  for  these  imprecations  of  which  the  case 
admits,  and,  especially,  having  suggested  whether  some  of  them 
may  not  have  been  uttered  as  disinterested  prayers  for  simple  di- 
vine retribution,  rather  than  as  expressions  of  personal  feeling  and 
passion,  he  says  :  —  "  If  now  the  question  be  asked,  whether  in 
no  case  the  unholy  fire  of  personal  anger  mingled  itself  with  the 
holy  fire  of  the  Psalmist,  we  dare  not  maintain  such  a  thing  even 
of  the  Apostles. f  Whether  in  excited  speech  the  anger  be  such 
as  '  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God,'  J  or  such  as  that  with 
which  Christ  himself  was  animated,^  may  generally  be  known 
from  the  nature  of  the  case,  namely,  when  there  is  an  evident 
satisfaction  in  being  permitted  to  be  the  instrument  of  divine  retri- 
bution, or  when  particular  kinds  of  retribution  are  prayed  for  with 
evident  pleasure,  or  when  it  is  manifest  that  the  representation 
of  them  is  connected  with  delight  on  the  part  of  the  speaker. 
Thus,  Ps.  cix.  and  lix.  contain  many  expressions  of  a  passionate 
character;  Ps.  cxlix.  7,  8,  cxxxvii.  8,  9,  Iviii.  10,  and  xli.  10,  may 
also  have  proceeded  from  a  similar  feeling.  On  other  passages 
individual  feeling  may  decide  differently."  || 

^  Opp.,  Vol.  v.,  Serm.  22.     So  Luther  on  Ps.  Iv. 
t  Acts  XV.  39,  xxiii.  3,  Phil.  iii.  2,  Gal.  v.  12. 
t  James  i.  20.  §   Mark  iii.  5. 

II  Tholuck's  Uebersetzung  und  Auslegung  der  Psalmen,  Halle, 
1843,  p.  Ixiii. 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

For  all  that  is  pure  and  wholesome  in  religion  and  morality, 
and  adapted  to  promote  peace  and  good-will  among  men,  one 
would  be  glad  to  adduce  all  possible  authority.  But  the  solicitude 
to  obtain  a  divine  sanction  for  hating  and  cursing  even  enemies 
would  be  truly  marvellous,  did  we  not  know  to  what  extremes 
good  men  are  sometimes  led  by  attachment  to  theory. 

The  following  are  the  sentiments  of  Dr.  Durell,  an  eminent  di- 
vine and  scholar  of  the  English  Episcopal  church,  and  principal 
of  one  of  the  colleges  in  the  University  of  Oxford,  in  the  last  cen- 
tury :  —  "  The  common  opinion  is,"  says  he,  "  that  these  impre- 
cations are  prophetic  denunciations  of  God's  judgments  upon  im- 
penitent sinners.  This,  in  some  cases,  may  be  true ;  but  surely 
it  cannot  be  so  in  all  those  parts  where  they  are  denounced  by 
the  imperative  ;  where  the  author  imprecates  not  against  God''s 
enemies,  not  against  the  enemies  of  the  state,  but  against  his  oion 
enemies.  The  most  probable  account  of  this  matter  in  my  humble 
opinion  is  this,  that  God  Almighty  (though  in  a  particular  sense 
the  God  of  Abraham  and  his  offspring)  did  not  interpose  by  his 
grace,  or  act  upon  the  minds  of  his  peculiar  people,  not  even  of 
their  prophets,  in  an  extraordinary  manner,  except  when  he  vouch- 
safed to  suggest  some  future  event,  or  any  other  circumstance  that 
might  be  for  the  public  benefit  of  mankind.  In  all  other  respects, 
I  apprehend  they  were  left  to  the  full  exercise  of  their  free  will, 
without  control  of  the  divine  impulse.  Now  God  had  abundantly 
provided,  in  that  code  of  moral  and  ceremonial  institutes  which  he 
had  given  his  people  for  their  law,  that  the  poor,  the  fatherless, 
the  widow,  and  stranger,  should  be  particularly  regarded  ;  whence 
they  ought  to  have  learned  to  be  merciful,  as  their  Father  in 
heaven  is  merciful ;  and  it  must  be  confessed  that  we  sometimes 
find  such  behaviour  and  sentiments  in  the  Jews,  with  respect  to 
their  enemies,  as  may  be  deemed  truly  Christian.  See  Ps.  xxxv. 
13,  14,  &c.  But  in  that  very  system  of  laws,  it  was  also,  for 
wise  reasons,  ordained,  that  they  should  have  no  intercourse  with 
the  seven  nations  of  the  Canaanites,  but  should  absolutely  exter- 
minate them  ;  whence  they  unwarrantably  drew  this  inference, 
that  they  ought  to  love  their  neighbours,  hut  hate  their  enemies,  as 
our  Lord  declares,  Matt.  v.  43.  From  these  devoted  nations  they 
2* 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

extended  the  precept  to  the  rest  of  mankind  that  were  not  within 
the  pale  of  their  church  ;  nay,  sometimes  to  their  own  domestic 
enemies,  those  of  their  own  blood  and  communion  with  whom 
they  were  at  variance.  Hence,  therefore,  the  horrid  picture  which 
is  drawn  of  that  nation  by  the  Greek  and  Roman  authors  ;  from 
whom  I  forbear  to  bring  any  instances,  as  they  are  well  known, 
and  so  numerous  that  they  might  iill  a  volume. 

' '  How  far  it  may  be  proper  to  continue  the  reading  of  these 
psalms  in  the  daily  service  of  our  church,  I  leave  to  the  consider- 
ation of  the  legislature  to  determine.  A  Christian  of  erudition 
may  consider  these  imprecations  only  as  the  natural  sentiments  of 
Jews,  which  the  benign  religion  he  professes  abhors  and  con- 
demns. But  what  are  the  illiterate  to  do,  who  know  not  where 
to  draw  the  line  between  the  law  and  the  gospel  1  They  hear 
both  read,  one  after  the  other,  and  I  fear  too  often  think  them  both 
of  equal  obligation,  and  even  take  shelter  under  Scripture  to  cover 
their  curses.  Though  I  am  conscious  I  here  tread  upon  slippery 
ground,  I  will  take  leave  to  hint,  that,  notwithstanding  the  high 
antiquity  that  sanctifies,  as  it  were,  this  practice,  it  would,  in  the 
opinion  of  a  number  of  wise  and  good  men,  be  more  for  the  credit 
of  the  Christian  church  to  omit  a  few  of  those  psalms,  and  to  sub- 
stitute some  parts  of  the  gospel  in  their  stead."  * 

II.     Authors  of  the  Psalms. 

The  opinion  has  long  since  been  exploded,  that  David  was  the 
sole  author  of  the  Psalms.  For  the  contents  of  some  of  them 
prove  that  they  were  written  during  the  captivity  at  Babylon. 

According  to  tbe  Hebrew  inscriptions,  which  are  translated  in 
the  common  English  version  of  the  Scriptures,  and  which  form 
the  Italic  titles  in  the  following  translation,  the  authors  of  the 
Psalms  are  Moses,  David,  Solomon,  Asaph,  Ileman,  Ethan,  and 
the  sons  of  Korah. 

But  great  uncertainty  rests  on  these  inscriptions,  because  sev- 
rral  of  ihcm  are  inconsistent  with  the  contents  of  the  psalms  to 
wlii(  h  they  are  prefixed.     It  is,  indeed,  not  improbable  that  the 


Durell's  Critical  Remarks,  p.  1' 


INTRODUCTION.  19 

name  of  the  author  was  originally  prefixed  to  his  composition  by 
his  own  hand.  This  is  said  to  have  been  the  practice  of  the  Ori- 
ental poets  from  a  very  remote  age,  as  it  certainly  was  of  several 
of  the  Hebrew  prophets.  If  this  were  the  case  with  respect  to 
the  Psalms,  it  is  probable  that  many  of  the  titles  were  lost  in  con- 
sequence of  the  use  made  of  them  in  public  worship,  and  that 
their  place  was  afterwards  partially  supplied  by  uncertain  tra- 
dition or  mere  conjecture.  What  is  certain  is,  that  many  of  the 
inscriptions  are  at  undeniable  variance  with  the  contents  of  the 
psalms  to  which  they  are  prefixed ;  and  this  fact  tends  to  throw 
discredit  on  those  with  which  the  tenor  of  the  composition  suffi- 
ciently agrees. 

To  David  the  Hebrew  titles  ascribe  seventy-one  psalms,  — 
according  to  some  editions,  seventy-four.  Of  these,  many  contain 
positive  internal  evidence  of  the  accuracy  of  their  titles.  From 
his  fame,  as  a  player  upon  the  harp,  when  he  was  invited  to  play 
before  Saul,  from  his  appellation  of  the  sweet  psalmist  of  Israel, 
and  from  the  tradition  of  antiquity,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  he 
was  the  author  of  most  of  those  which  are  ascribed  to  him,  and  of 
some  which  have  no  title.  But  several  of  the  psalms  which  bear 
David's  name  cannot  be  his,  as  they  contain  allusions  to  the  Baby- 
lonian captivity,  and  similar  events  belonging  to  a  later  age, 
besides  occasional  Chaldaisms. 

"  The  inscriptions  indicating  the  authorship  of  David,"  says 
Eichhorn,  "  cannot  be  all  right;  not,  however,  on  account  of  the 
greatness  of  the  number  ascribed  to  him.  Who  knows  not,  that, 
as  a  shepherd  and  in  a  private  station,  David  knew  no  truer  friend 
than  his  harp  ;  and  that,  when  a  king,  he  gloried  in  his  songs 
more  than  in  his  crown?  The  whole  course  of  his  life,  whether 
joyous  or  sorrowful,  he  introduced  into  his  compositions.  Who, 
then,  can  be  surprised  at  the  number  of  psalms  of  lamentation 
which  come  under  his  name?  Who  ever  suffered  more,  or  more 
variously,  or  more  undeservedly,  than  David  ?  From  the  con- 
dition of  a  shepherd  he  raised  himself  to  the  throne.  Through 
what  hosts  of  enviers  and  enemies  must  he  have  pressed  before  he 
reached  it !     More  than  once  was  he  obliged  to  flee  from  the  jave- 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

lin  of  Saul  with  his  harp  in  liis  hand ;  what  w^onder,  then,  that  it 
sounded  his  terrors?  How  often  was  he  compelled  to  rove  through 
the  wilderness  to  avoid  the  persecution  of  one  who  should  have 
loved  and  protected  him,  as  a  member  of  his  house  and  successor 
to  his  throne !  And  when  these  dangers  were  past,  long  was  it 
before  the  dangers  of  his  life  were  past.  Ishbosheth  contended 
with  him  as  a  rival  aspirant  for  the  throne ;  and  until  the  whole 
royal  family  was  extinct,  he  never  felt  himself  at  rest.  Then  he 
engaged,  with  various  success,  in  war  with  the  neighbouring 
kings,  from  Egypt  to  the  Euphrates  ;  and  at  last,  after  so  many 
victories,  he  was  destined  to  find  his  most  dangerous  enemy  in  the 
person  of  his  own  son,  the  rebellious  Absalom.  Amid  so  many 
and  bitter  calamities,  the  number  of  his  poetic  sighs  and  lamen- 
tations is  not  a  matter  of  surprise.  Besides,  is  it  at  all  probable 
that  the  brief  chronicles  of  the  Hebrews  make  us  acquainted  with 
all  his  domestic  afflictions  through  the  whole  course  of  his  life  1 
These,  however,  are  not  less  hard  to  be  borne  than  public  ca- 
lamities." * 

The  characteristics  of  David's  poetry  are  said  by  the  same  dis- 
tinguished critic  to  be  loveliness  and  deep  feeling.  With  him 
agrees  so  good  a  judge  of  poetry  as  the  author  of  The  Pleasures  of 
Hope.  "  His  trails  of  inspiration  are  lovely  and  touching,  rather 
than  daring  and  astonishing.  His  voice,  as  a  worshipper,  has  a 
penetrating  accent  of  human  sensibility,  varying  from  plaintive 
melancholy  to  luxuriant  gladness,  and  even  rising  to  ecstatic  rap- 
lure.  In  grief,  his  heart  is  melted  like  wax,  and  deep  answers  to 
deep,  whilst  the  waters  of  affiiction  pass  over  him ;  or  his  soul  is 
led  to  the  green  pastures  by  the  quiet  waters,  or  his  religious  con- 
fidence pours  forth  the  metaphors  of  a  warrior  in  rich  and  exulting 
succession.  '  The  Lord  is  my  rock,  and  my  fortress,  and  my  de- 
liverer,—  my  God,  my  strength,  in  ivhom  I  will  trust,  — my  buck- 
ler, and  the  horn  of  my  salvation,  and  my  high  ioioer.^  Some  of 
the  sacred  writers  may  excite  the  imagination  more  powerfully 
than  David,  but  none  of  them  appeal  more  interestingly  to  the 
heart.     Nor  is  it  in  tragic  so  much  as  in  joyous  expression,  that 

*   Eiiilcilung  ill  das  Alte  Test.,  §  G22. 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

I  conceive  the  power  of  his  genius  to  consist.  Its  most  inspired 
aspect  appears  to  present  itself,  when  he  looks  abroad  upon  the 
universe  with  the  eye  of  a  poet,  and  with  the  breast  of  a  glad  and 
grateful  worshipper.  When  he  looks  up  to  the  starry  firmament, 
his  soul  assimilates  to  the  splendor  and  serenity  which  he  contem- 
plates. This  lofty  but  bland  spirit  of  devotion  reigns  in  the  eighth 
and  in  the  nineteenth  psalm.  But  above  all,  it  expands  itself  in 
the  hundred  and  fourth  into  a  minute  and  diversified  picture  of  the 
creation.  Verse  after  verse,  in  that  psalm,  leads  on  the  mind 
through  the  various  objects  of  nature  as  through  a  mighty  land- 
scape, and  the  atmosphere  of  the  scene  is  colored,  not  with  a  dim 
or  mystic,  but  with  a  clear  and  warm  light  of  religious  feeling. 
He  spreads  his  sympathies  over  the  face  of  the  world,  and  rejoices 
in  the  power  and  goodness  of  its  protecting  Deity.  The  impres- 
sion of  that  exquisite  ode  dilates  the  heart  with  a  pleasure  too  in- 
stinctive and  simple  to  be  described." 

To  Moses  only  one  psalm  is  ascribed,  namely,  the  ninetieth. 
In  this  beautiful  elegy  there  is  nothing  absolutely  inconsistent 
with  the  supposition  that  he  was  the  author  of  it.  Most  critics, 
however,  have  supposed  it  to  savor  of  a  later  age.  Grotius  re- 
marks, "  that  it  was  not  composed  by  him,  but  adapted  by  the 
author  to  the  circumstances  and  feelings  of  Moses,  containing 
sentiments  which  he  might  have  expressed."  The  writers  of  the 
Talmud  ascribe  the  ten  psalms  following  the  ninetieth  to  Moses  ; 
but  they  do  this  upon  the  wholly  unfounded  supposition,  that 
those  psalms  which  have  no  title  are  to  be  attributed  to  the  au- 
thor whose  name  occurs  in  the  next  preceding  title.  The  ninety- 
ninth  certainly  could  not  have  been  written  by  him,  since  it  con- 
tains the  name  of  the  prophet  Samuel,  who  was  not  born  till 
nearly  three  hundred  years  after  the  death  of  Moses. 

Twelve  psalms,  namely,  Ps.  1.  and  Ixxiii.-lxxxiii.,  are  ascribed 
to  Asaph,  a  celebrated  Levite,  and  chief  of  the  choirs  of  Israel  in 
the  time  of  David.  1  Chron.  xvi.  4,  5.  That  he  was  a  poet,  and 
composed  as  well  as  sung,  is  evident  from  2  Chron.  xxix.  30. 
Moreover  Hezekiah  the  king  and  the  princes  commanded  the  Le- 


22  INTRODUCTION. 

vitcs  to  sing  praise  unto  the  Lord  ivith  the  words  of  David,  and  of 
Asaph  the  seer.  But  he  could  have  been  the  author  of  but  a 
small  portion  of  these  twelve  psalms.  Ps.  Ixxiv.,  Ixxvii.,  Ixxix., 
Ixxx.,  indisputably  belong  to  the  times  of  the  captivity,  and  sev- 
eral of  the  rest  have  with  good  reason  been  referred  to  the  same 
period.  They  may,  however,  have  been  WTitten  by  a  later  poet 
of  the  same  name.  Eichhorn,  Rosenmiiller,  and  De  Wette  are  of 
opinion,  that,  of  all  the  psalms  ascribed  to  Asaph,  the  contem- 
porary of  David,  only  the  fiftieth  is  decidedly  his.  This,  how- 
ever, is  enough  to  place  him  in  the  number  of  poets  of  the  very 
first  order.  It  is  marked  by  a  deeper  vein  of  thought,  and  a  loftier 
tone  of  sentiment,  than  any  of  the  compositions  of  David.  In 
Asaph,  the  poet  and  the  philosopher  are  combined.  "  He  was," 
says  Eichhorn,  "  one  of  those  ancient  wise  men  who  felt  the  in- 
sufficiency of  external  religious  usages,  and  urged  the  necessity  of 
cultivating  virtue  and  purity  of  mind."  It  may  well  be  said  of 
him,  as  of  the  scribe  in  the  New  Testament,  that  he  ivas  not  far 
from  the  kingdom  of  God. 

Eleven  psalms,  the  forty-second  and  forty-third  being  supposed 
to  be  one  psalm,  namely,  Ps.  xlii.-xlix.,  and  Ixxxiv.,  Ixxxv., 
Ixxxvii.,  and  Ixxxviii.,  are  ascribed  to  the  sons  of  Korah,  a 
Levitical  family  of  singers.  1  Chron.  vi.  In  consequence  of  the 
ambiguity  of  the  Hebrew  preposition,  it  has  been  doubted  whether 
the  inscription  is  intended  to  designate  them  as  the  authors  of  these 
psalms,  or  only  as  the  musicians  who  were  to  perform  them  in  the 
temple.  The  preposition,  however,  is  the  same  that  denotes  au- 
thorship in  the  case  of  those  psalms  which  are  ascribed  to  David. 
Heman  the  Ezrahite,  whose  name  occurs  in  the  title  of  one  of 
these  psalms,  may  have  been  one  of  the  sons  or  descendants  of 
Korah  ;  or  the  mention  of  him  in  the  inscription  may  have  arisen 
from  the  amalgamation  of  contradictory  titles.  The  titles  were 
prohahly  given  them  by  some  one  wlio  liad  learned  from  tradition 
tliut  they  were  liic  productions  of  the  sons  of  Korah,  but  had  not 
been  informed  of  the  names  of  their  respective  authors.  It  is 
probable  that  only  a  few  of  the  most  distinguished  sons  of  Korah 
were  concerned  in  their  production.     Whatever  may  be  the  true 


INTRODUCTION.  23 

explanation  of  their  inscriptions,  it  is  almost  universally  conceded 
that  the  psalms  in  question  were  not  written  hy  David.  In  style 
they  differ  materially  from  his.  Whoever  was  their  author,  they 
are  not  unworthy  of  Asaph.  No  psalms  in  the  whole  collection 
possess  a  more  permanent  interest.  None  indicate  a  richer  imag- 
ination, or  a  more  powerful  inspiration.  None  breathe  a  bolder, 
freer  spirit  of  enthusiasm,  or  contain  more  sublime  and  affecting 
sentiments.  Most  of  them,  especially  Ps.  xlii.,  xlvi.,  and  Ixxxiv., 
belong  to  that  order  of  compositions,  which,  having  once  passed 
through  the  mind,  are  never  forgotten  ;  and  which  are  most  re- 
membered in  seasons  when  much  that  passes  for  poetry,  being 
weighed  in  the  balance,  is  found  lighter  than  vanity. 

In  the  Hebrew  titles,  the  eighty-eighth  psalm  is  ascribed  to 
Heman,  and  the  eighty-ninth  to  Ethan,  both  called  Ezrahites. 
The  persons  intended  were,  probably,  Levitical  singers  in  the 
time  of  David,  mentioned  in  1  Chron.  vi.  33,  44.  But  there  can 
be  little  doubt  that  the  titles  are  wrong,  and  that  these  psalms 
belong  to  a  later  age  than  that  of  David. 

To  Solomon  only  two  of  the  psalms  are  inscribed,  namely,  the 
seventy-second  and  one  hundred  twenty-seventh.  But  these  could 
scarcely  have  been  written  by  him.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
his  name  was  prefixed  to  the  latter,  merely  because  the  first  verse 
mentions  the  building  of  a  house ^  which  the  author  of  the  title 
supposed  to  refer  to  the  temple.  Of  the  seventy-second  he  seems 
to  be  the  subject,  rather  than  the  author.  It  is  not  improbable, 
however,  that  some  of  the  psalms  were  written  by  Solomon,  since, 
in  1  Kings  iv.  32,  he  is  said  to  have  written  one  thousand  and 
five  songs. 

The  remaining  fifty-one  psalms  have  in  the  Hebrew  no  titles 
indicating  their  authors.  And,  from  what  has  been  said  of  the 
Hebrew  inscriptions,  it  follows  that  the  authors  of  more  than  half 
of  the  psalms  are  unknown  to  us.  As  to  the  inscriptions  which 
are  added  in  the  ancient  versions,  they  are  evidently  the  conjec- 
tures of  editors  and  copyists.     Modern  interpreters,   also,  have 


24  INTRODUCTION. 

exercised  their  saoraeity  in  assigning  authors  to  the  anonymous 
psalms.     But  their  conjectures  are  not  worthy  of  consideration. 

III.     Titles  of  the  Psalms. 

Besides  the  names  of  the  authors,  some  of  the  titles  indicate  the 
species  of  the  composition  ;  some  the  occasion  and  subject  of  it ; 
some  refer  to  the  leader  of  the  choir  of  singers  ;  some  to  the 
musical  instrument  to  be  used ;  and  some  to  the  tune  to  which  the 
psalm  was  to  be  sung.  Respecting  the  origin  and  antiquity  of 
these  titles,  the  opinion  of  Rosenmiiller  is  as  plausible  as  any  that 
has  been  offered. 

"  I  doubt  not  that  all  the  psalms  once  had  a  title  containing  the 
name  of  the  author,  and  in  some  instances  the  occasion  of  the 
composition,  as  was  the  custom  of  the  Arabic,  Syriac,  and  He- 
brew poets.  But  those  titles  which  relate  to  the  air,  or  the 
instrument,  to  which  the  psalm  was  to  be  sung,  appear  to  have 
proceeded  from  those  who,  at  various  periods,  made  use  of  the 
psalms  for  public  worship.  Thus,  in  2  Sam.  xxii.,  which  con- 
tains the  eighteenth  psalm,  there  is  in  the  title  no  mention  of  the 
leader  of  the  music.  The  use  of  the  psalms  in  public  worship 
affords  a  reason  for  the  mutilation  or  loss  of  the  more  ancient  in- 
scriptions, which  mentioned  the  name  of  the  author  and  the  occa- 
sion and  subject  of  the  psalm.  Those  who  collected  the  psalms 
at  different  periods  undertook  to  supply  the  deficiency  of  titles 
from  their  own  judgment  or  fancy,  without  a  due  regard  to  manu- 
scripts, or  to  the  tenor  of  the  psalm.  Not  a  few  seem  to  have 
been  added  by  commentators,  copyists,  and  even  readers.  This 
is  proved  by  the  Greek,  Syriac,  Arabic,  Latin,  and  even  by  some 
Ilobrew  manuscripts.  In  many  cases,  probably,  a  conjecture, 
placed  by  a  reader  in  the  margin  of  a  manuscript,  was  in  course 
of  time  introduced  into  the  text.  Hence  it  may  be  seen  how  it 
happens  that  many  of  the  psalms  are  at  variance  with  their  titles, 
and  could  not  have  been  written  by  the  author  to  whom  they  are 
assigned.  Wc  conclude,  therefore,  that  all  the  Hebrew  titles  are 
not  to  be  ra.shly  rejected,  nor  indiscriminately  received.  But  with 
the  help  of  sound  criticism  and  interpretation,  we  must  distinguish 


INTRODUCTION.  25 

those  which  were  given  by  the  poet  from  those  which  were  added 
by  a  later  hand. ' ' 

To  indicate  the  species  of  composition  with  respect  to  the  senti- 
ment, the  metre,  or  the  music  to  which  it  was  adapted,  the  He- 
brew terms  Mismor,  Shir,  Shir-Mismor,  Mismor-Shir,  Maschil, 
Michtam,  Shiggaion,  and  Shir-Hammachaloth  are  used. 

With  the  exception  of  the  last  term,  it  is  doubtful  whether  it 
can  be  ascertained  in  what  respects  these  titles  diifer,  and  still 
more  doubtful,  whether  there  are  words  in  English  to  express 
their  difference.  What  is  certain  is,  that  they  all  denote  a  spe- 
cies of  psalm,  with  respect  to  the  sentiment,  the  measure,  or  the 
music.  I  have  thought  it  better  to  translate  all  of  them  by  the 
next  generic  term  which  is  applicable  to  all  of  them,  rather 
than  to  puzzle  the  English  reader  with  the  Hebrew  terms  Mich- 
tam and  Maschil,  or  the  barbarous  English  psalm-song  or  song- 
psalm.* 

The  title  Maschil  is  very  probably  derived  from  the  verb  signi- 
fying to  be  ivise,  and  hence  translated  by  some  critics  a  didactic 
psalm.  It  occurs  as  the  title  of  thirteen  psalms.  But  several  of 
those  to  which  it  is  prefixed  have  not  the  character  commonly 
understood  by  didactic,  and  it  is  not  prefixed  to  some  that  have 
that  character.  Thus,  it  is  prefixed  to  Psalms  Iv.,  Ixxxviii,,  and 
cxlii.,  and  not  to  the  fiftieth. 

Michtam  is  sometimes  translated  golden,  but  it  is  difficult  to  per- 
ceive any  peculiar  excellence  in  the  six  psalms,  namely,  Ps.  xvi., 
Ivi.,  Ivii.,  Iviii.,  lix.,  Ix.,  to  which  it  is  prefixed,  which  should 
gain  for  them  the  distinguishing  epithet  of  golden.  According  to 
modern  taste,  there  are  many  others  far  more  deserving  of  this 
appellation.  The  same  objection  may  be  made  to  the  supposition, 
that  they  derive  their  appellation  from  their  being  hung  up  in  the 
temple  in  golden  letters,  like  the  Moallacat  in  the  temple  at 
Mecca.  Besides  that  there  is  no  evidence  of  such  a  Hebrew 
custom,  what  is  there  in  these  six  psalms  which  should  give  them 
such  a  distinction  above  the  rest?     On  the  whole,  there  seems 

*  See  Dr.  Geddes'a  Version. 
3 


26  INTRODUCTION. 

to  be  no  more  probable  derivation  of  the  word,  than  that  which 
makes  it  denote  writing,  that  is,  composition,  psalm;  D/^DH,  by 
a  change  of  the  labials  D  and  2  being  written  for  DHI)?,  which 
occurs  in  Is.  xxx.  9,  in  the  title  of  a  song. 

The  hundred  and  forty-fifth  is  called  Tehillah,  Praise;  and  so 
excellent  was  this  psalm  always  accounted  by  the  Jews,  that  the 
title  of  the  whole  book  of  Psalms,  Sephir  Tehillim,  The  Book  of 
Praises,  was  taken  from  it.  The  Jews  used  to  say,  "  He  cannot 
fail  of  being  an  inhabitant  of  the  heavenly  Canaan,  who  repeats 
this  psalm  three  times  a  day." 

Some  suppose  Shiggaion  to  denote  a  song  of  lamentation.  But 
this  is  very  uncertain. 

Fifteen  psalms,  cxx, -cxxxiv.,  are  entitled  Shir-Hammacha- 
loth,  literally,  Song  of  steps,  or  of  ascents;  in  the  common  ver- 
sion, Song  of  degrees.  By  some  they  are  termed  Odes  of  ascen- 
sion, or  Pilgrim  songs,  and  are  supposed  to  have  derived  their 
name  from  the  circumstance,  that  they  were  sung  when  the  peo- 
ple went  up  to  worship  in  Jerusalem,  at  the  annual  festivals. 
To  go  up  to  Jerusalem,  was  a  common  expression  with  reference 
to  journeys  to  the  metropolis.  Thus,  our  Saviour  says,  "  Behold, 
we  go  up  to  Jerusalem."  It  is  supposed  that  they  travelled  in 
the  Oriental  manner,  not  single,  but  in  companies,  and  chanted 
these  psalms  by  the  way.  Psalms  cxx.  and  cxxiii.,  however,  do 
not  seem  suitable  for  such  an  occasion. 

Others  suppose  them  to  refer  to  the  return  from  the  captivity, 
that  return  being  styled  an  ascent,  or  going  up.  Ez.  vii.  9. 
To  this  supposition  it  is  objected,  that  Ps.  cxxii.  1  speaks  of 
going  up  to  the  house  of  the  Lord,  which  of  course  was  in  ruins 
when  they  were  returning  from  the  captivity. 

Others  suppose  the  term  steps  to  refer  to  a  peculiarity  in  the 
structure  of  some  of  these  psalms,  according  to  which  a  sentiment 
or  expression  of  the  preceding  verse  is  introduced  and  carried  for- 
ward in  the  next,  so  that  tliere  shall  be  a  sort  of  climax,  or  ascend- 
ing scries  of  similar  sentiments.     Thus,  Ps.  cxxi., 

*'  I  lift  up  mine  eyes  to  the  hills ; 
Whence  comcth  mi/  help  1 
Ml/  help  comcth  from  Jehovah, 
WJio  made  heaven  and  earth. 


INTRODUCTION.  27 

He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  stumble, 
Thy  guardian  doth  not  slumber. 
Behold  !  the  guardian  of  Israel 
Doth  neither  slumber  nor  sleep, ^^  &c. 

But  this  peculiarity  is  found  in  only  a  few  of  the  psalms  to  which 
the  title  is  prefixed. 

Michaelis  has  intimated  that  the  word  steps  may  have  reference 
to  a  particular  species  of  metre,  and  denote  something  like  feet 
in  English.  He  refers  to  the  poetry  of  the  Syrians,  in  which  one 
species  is  distinguished  by  the  term  denoting  steps.  But  what  the 
metre  is  cannot  be  ascertained. 

Luther,  Hammond,  and  others,  suppose  the  word  to  be  a  mu- 
sical term,  denoting  that  these  psalms  are  to  be  sung  in  a  higher 
tone  of  voice  or  key. 

Other  parts  of  the  titles  denote  the  air  or  tune  to  which  the 
psalm  is  to  be  sung,  by  referring  to  the  first  words,  or  to  the  name, 
of  psalms  which  are  now  lost.  See  Ps.  Ivii.,  Iviii.,  lix.  Others 
relate  to  the  instruments  of  music,  the  choir  of  singers,  and  the 
leader,  as  may  be  understood  from  the  translation  and  the  notes. 

In  this  connection  we  may  say  a  word  of  the  term  Selah. 
Its  signification  is  extremely  doubtful.  But  its  use  is  very  gen- 
erally admitted  to  have  been  that  of  a  musical  sign  for  the  direc- 
tion of  the  singers.  But  whether  it  denotes  a  pause,  or  slowness 
of  time,  or  a  change  of  tune,  or  a  repeat,  equivalent  to  the  Italian 
Da  capo,  or  a  rest  for  the  vocal  performers,  whilst  the  musicians 
were  alone  to  be  heard,  critics  are  divided  in  opinion.  The  last 
seems  the  most  probable  opinion,  namely,  that  the  term  denotes 
silence!  or  pause!  and  that  its  use  was  to  direct  the  singers  who 
chanted  the  notes  of  the  psalm  to  pause  a  little,  while  the  instru- 
ments played  an  interlude,  or  symphony. 

IV.     The  Collection  of  the  Psalms,  and  their  Division 
INTO  Books. 

The  psalms  appear  to  have  been  collected  at  different  times  and 
by  different  persons.     This  is  manifest  from  the  division  into  five 


28 


INTRODUCTION. 


books,  which  is  certainly  as  ancient  as  the  Septuagint  version. 
For  this  version  contains  the  doxologies  which  are  placed  at  the 
end  of  the  first  four  books,  Ps.  xli.  13,  Ixxii.  18-20,  Ixxxix.  52, 
cvi.  48.  The  cause  of  this  division,  says  Jahn,  may  be  gathered 
from  the  character  of  the  psalms  contained  in  each  book.  Almost 
all  the  psalms  of  the  first  book  are  the  work  of  David.  In  the 
second,  there  are  twenty-two  of  David,  one  of  Asaph,  and  eight 
anonymous,  ascribed  to  the  Korahites.  The  third  contains  one, 
the  eighty-sixth,  ascribed  to  David,  and  this  doubtful  ;  the  re- 
mainder are  partly  Asaph's,  partly  the  work  of  an  uncertain  au- 
thor, and  partly  anonymous.  Two  only  in  the  fourth  book  are 
ascribed  to  David,  and  one,  the  ninetieth,  to  Moses,  the  others 
being  anonymous.  In  the  fifth,  fifteen  are  assigned  to  David,  one 
is  ascribed  conjecturally  to  Solomon,  and  the  rest  are  anonymous. 
These  five  books  of  the  Psalms,  therefore,  are  evidently  so  many 
different  collections,  following  each  other  in  the  order  in  which 
they  were  made.  The  first  person  w'ho  began  the  collection  put 
together  the  psalms  of  David  ;  the  second,  those  psalms  of  David 
which  it  was  still  in  his  power  to  glean,  admitting  a  few  others  ; 
the  third  had  no  psalms  of  David  in  view,  and  when  he  wished  to 
join  his  own  collection  to  the  former,  he  added  the  note  at  the  end 
of  the  second  book,  — "  Here  end  the  psalms  of  David,  the  son  of 
Jesse,"  Ixxii.  20.  The  fourth  collected  anonymous  psalms,  and 
therefore  his  book  exhibits  only  one  of  Moses,  the  ninetieth,  and 
two  of  David,  the  hundred  and  first  and  the  hundred  and  third, 
the  latter  of  which,  however,  is  certainly  not  his.  The  last  made 
a  collection  of  whatever  sacred  poems  he  could  gather ;  he  has, 
therefore,  fifteen  of  David,  and  thirty  anonymous.  This  view  of 
the  subject  readily  accounts  for  the  fact,  that  some  psalms  con- 
tained in  an  earlier  collection  again  occur  in  a  later,  as  the  four- 
teenth and  fifty-third,  the  fifty-seventh  and  hundred  and  eighth. 

The  age  and  the  authors  of  these  collections  it  is  impossible  to 
ascertain.  But  as  in  the  first  collection,  as  well  as  in  the  rest, 
there  are  some  psalms  which  appear  to  have  been  written  during 
the  captivity,  we  may  conclude  that  no  one  of  them  was  made  till 
the  time  of  the  captivity.  Some  of  the  others  must  have  been 
made  at  dilfcrent  times  after  the  return  from  Babylon.     The  last 


INTRODUCTION.  29 

two  books  are  supposed  by  several  critics  of  eminence  to  contain 
psalms  referring  even  to  the  times  of  the  Maccabees. 

"  We  must,"  says  De  Wette,  "  suppose  that  the  collection  of 
the  Psalms  was  made  gradually.  There  is  a  prevailing  want  of 
order  in  it ;  pieces  of  like  character  are  not  brought  together  ; 
songs  of  David  are  found  scattered  in  all  the  five  books  ;  those  of 
Asaph  are  separated  as  widely  from  each  other  as  those  of  the 
Korahites,  etc.  But  again,  in  the  midst  of  this  disorder,  we  re- 
mark a  certain  order ;  the  majority  of  David's  psalms  stand  to- 
gether, Ps.  iii.  -  xli.  It  is  so  also  with  the  songs  of  the  Korah- 
ites, of  Asaph,  and  the  songs  of  degrees ;  a  circumstance  which 
evinces  that  tliey  have  been  brought  together  from  many  separate 
collections.  In  this  view,  we  may  also  account  for  the  fact,  that 
one  psalm  occurs  twice.  Ps.  xiv.  is  the  same  with  Ps.  liii.  But 
less  satisfactorily  does  this  account  for  the  recurrence  of  separate 
portions  of  psalms,  as  in  the  case  of  Ps.  Ix.  and  Ps.  cviii. 

"It  is  as  little  possible  for  us  to  know  who  were  the  authors  of 
the  several  particular  collections,  as  w  ho  was  the  compiler  of  the 
whole.  It  cannot  be  true,  as  many  suppose,  that  David  himself 
prepared  the  first  collection  ;  because  among  the  first  psalms  there 
appear  several  of  an  altogether  later  date,  as  Ps.  xiv.,  xliv.,  xlv., 
xlvi.,  xlviii.  Besides,  David  would  hardly  have  given  himself 
the  honorable  appellation  of  "  serv^aut  of  Jehovah,"  which  is  an- 
nexed to  his  name  in  two  of  the  titles,  Ps.  xviii.,  xxxvi.  Even 
Carpzov  looked  upon  the  first  collection  as  a  private  undertaking.* 
The  age  of  these  collections  may  be  determined  with  greater  cer- 
tainty. The  first  two,  Ps.  i.  -  Ixxii.,  cannot  have  been  completed 
until  after  the  captivity,  since  pieces  are  found  in  them  which  be- 
long to  the  period  of  the  captivity,  Ps.  xiv.,  xliv.,  xlv.  ;  but  the 
collection  of  the  whole  was  certainly  not  finished  until  a  con- 
siderable time  afterwards,  though  it  must  have  been  completed 
before  the  translation  of  Jesus  Sirac.  130  B.  C, — as  early  as 
which  the  collection  of  Psalms  was  probably  translated  into  Greek. 
As  it  respects  the  design  of  the  collection  of  the  psalms,  it  may 
be  remarked,  that  they  who  suppose  it  was  made  in  behalf  of  the 

*  Introd.  ad  Libr.  Can.,  (fee,  Part  II.,  p.  107. 
3* 


30  INTRODUCTION. 

musical  service  of  the  temple  entertain  too  limited  views  of  the 
object ;  *  besides  that  this  supposition  is  irreconcilable  with  the 
fact  of  its  having  probably  originated  from  private  collections.  A 
religious  use,  however,  was  undoubtedly  the  aim  by  which  the 
collectors  were  guided,  at  least  in  general.  Ps.  xlv.,  which  is  so 
entirely  secular,  must  be  considered  as  an  accidental  exception, 
unless  we  are  indebted  for  its  insertion  to  the  allegorical  method 
of  interpretation,  which  may  also  have  been  the  means  of  preserv- 
ing from  destruction  the  Song  of  Solomon. 

"In  the  mode  of  dividing  and  numbering  the  several  psalms, 
the  Hebrew  manuscripts,  and  the  Seventy  and  Vulgate,  occasion- 
ally differ  from  the  printed  Hebrew  text.  In  many  manuscripts, 
the  first  psalm  is  numbered  with  the  second,  and  in  like  manner 
the  forty-second  with  the  forty-third,  and  the  one  hundred  and  six- 
teenth with  the  one  hundred  and  seventeenth.  On  the  other  hand, 
a  new  psalm  is  commenced  with  Ps.  cxviii.  5  ;  indeed,  Ps.  cxviii. 
is  divided  in  some  manuscripts  into  three  psalms.  The  Seventy 
also  formerly  numbered  the  first  psalm  with  the  second  ;  and  they 
still  differ  in  common  with  the  Vulgate  from  the  ordinary  method 
of  enumeration,  after  the  tenth  psalm,  inasmuch  as  they  join  to- 
gether psalms  ninth  and  tenth,  and  thus  fall  one  number  or  psalm 
behind  the  Hebrew  text,  as  far  as  to  the  one  hundred  and  forty- 
seventh  psalm,  which  they  separate  into  two,  and  thus  return  back 
once  more  to  the  old  enumeration.  They  also  unite  Ps.  cxiv. 
with  Ps.  cxv.,  but  immediately  afterwards  divide  Ps.  cxvi.  into 
two,  so  that  this  difference  is  cancelled  on  the  spot.  It  is  neces- 
sary to  be  acquainted  with  this  different  mode  of  numbering,  be- 
cause the  Fathers  quote  by  it.  The  Seventy  have  besides  an 
apocryphal  psalm  cli.,  on  the  victory  of  David  over  Goliah." 

V.     IMeans  of  understanding  the  Psalms. 

In  order  that  the  Psalms  may  be  understood  in  the  fulness  of 
their  meaning,  beauty,  and  spirit,  the  most  important  directions  to 
an  English  reader  are  these  three. 


Comp.  Eichhorn,  §  G26. 


INTRODUCTION.  3I 

1.  Gain  some  knowledge  of  Jewish  antiquities.  Be  so  familiar 
with  the  history,  the  manners  and  customs,  the  climate  and  scen- 
ery, and  the  modes  of  thinking  and  feeling  of  the  Hebrews,  that 
you  may  receive  such  impressions  from  the  sacred  poetry  as  would 
be  received  by  an  enlightened  inhabitant  of  ancient  Jerusalem. 
*'  It  is  not  enough,"  says  Bishop  Lowth,  "  to  be  acquainted  with 
the  language  of  this  people,  their  manners,  discipline,  rites,  and 
ceremonies  ;  we  must  even  investigate  their  inmost  sentiments, 
the  manner  and  connection  of  their  thoughts  ;  in  one  word,  we 
must  see  all  things  with  their  eyes,  estimate  all  things  by  their 
opinions.  We  must  endeavour  as  much  as  possible  to  read  He- 
brew as  the  Hebrews  would  have  read  it."  For  this  object,  they 
who  have  less  taste  for  the  simple  and  immethodical  narrative  of 
the  sacred  historians  may  be  referred  to  the  more  elaborate,  but 
popular  and  interesting,  history  of  the  Jews  by  Milman.  For  con- 
sultation, every  one  who  wishes  to  understand  his  Bible  should 
own  Jahn's  Biblical  Archaeology,  which  has  been  translated  in 
this  country. 

2.  In  addition  to  a  general  knowledge  of  the  Jewish  history  and 
antiquities,  it  is  of  great  use  to  ascertain  the  subject,  the  occasion, 
and  the  author  of  the  psalm.  It  is  true  that  these  points  can 
rarely  be  discovered  with  any  considerable  degree  of  certainty. 
Many  of  the  captions  prefixed  to  the  psalms  in  this  translation 
must  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  theories  or  conjectures.  As  such, 
however,  they  may  be  regarded  as  useful.  We  may  be  more  able 
to  comprehend  the  sentiment  and  feel  the  spirit  of  a  psalm,  if  we 
only  assign  to  it  an  occasion  similar  to  that  for  which  it  was  com- 
posed. At  best,  however,  as  has  been  remarked  by  Bishop 
Lowth,  "  much  of  the  harmony,  propriety,  and  elegance  of  the  sa- 
cred poetry  must  pass  unperceived  by  us,  who  can  only  form  dis- 
tant conjectures  of  the  general  design,  but  are  totally  ignorant  of 
the  particular  application."  The  following  remarks  of  Michaelis 
are  also  highly  deserving  of  consideration.  "  There  are  some," 
says  he,  "  who  undertake  to  explain  the  Psalms  from  the  histori- 
cal parts  of  Scripture,  as  if  every  occurrence  were  known  to  them, 
and  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  during  the  reign  of  David  which 


32  INTRODUCTION. 

was  not  committed  to  writing.  This,  however,  considering  the 
extreme  brevity  of  the  sacred  history,  and  the  number  and  magni- 
tude of  the  facts  which  it  relates,  must  of  course  be  very  far  from 
the  truth.  The  causes  and  motives  of  many  wars  are  not  at  all 
adverted  to,  the  battles  that  are  related  are  few,  and  those  the 
principal.  Who  can  doubt,  though  ever  so  inexperienced  in  mili- 
tary affairs,  that  many  things  occurred  which  are  not  mentioned, 
between  the  desertion  of  Jerusalem  by  David,  and  that  famous 
battle  which  extinguished  the  rebellion  of  Absalom  1  They,  who 
will  not  allow  that  they  are  ignorant  of  a  great  part  of  the  Jewish 
history,  will  be  apt  to  explain  more  of  the  psalms  upon  the  same 
principle,  and  as  relating  to  the  same  facts,  than  they  ought ; 
whence  the  poetry  will  appear  tame  and  languid,  abounding  in 
words,  but  with  little  variety  of  description  or  sentiment. 

*'  Others  have  recourse  to  mystical  interpretations,  or  convert 
those  historical  passages  which  they  do  not  understand  into  proph- 
ecies. Into  none  of  these  errors  would  mankind  have  fallen,  but 
through  the  persuasion  that  the  whole  history  of  the  Jews  was 
minutely  detailed  to  them,  and  that  there  were  no  circumstances 
with  which  they  were  unacquainted." 

3.  It  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  attend  to  the  characteris- 
tics of  the  language  and  structure  of  Hebrew  poetry.  In  order  to 
avoid  important  errors,  the  reader  of  Hebrew  poetry  must  espe- 
cially keep  in  mind  one  of  its  features,  by  which  it  is  distinguished 
from  the  poetry  of  the  Western  world,  namely,  its  boldness  in 
the  use  of  figurative  and  metaphorical  language.  Many  mistakes 
have  arisen  from  interpreting  the  language  of  Eastern  hyperbole 
in  too  strict  a  sense.  As  an  instance  of  the  kind  of  language  to 
which  1  refer,  I  may  mention  the  eighteenth  psalm,  from  verse 
ninth  to  the  eighteenth.  The  simple  fact  that  God  aided  David 
and  the  Israelites  in  battle  is  the  foundation  of  this  magnificent 
description.  The  Supreme  Being  is  represented  as  interposing 
in  tlie  midst  of  a  tempest,  and  the  tempest  itself  is  described  in 
language  extremely  hyperbolical.     Compare  Hab.  iii.  3,  &c. 

As  an  instance  of  error  arising  from  the  neglect  of  this  charac- 
l4;rii>tic   of  Hebrew   poetry,   it   may   be  mentioned   that  several 


INTRODUCTION.  gg 

learned  critics  have  gravely  undertaken  to  explain  what  habitation 
David  could  provide  for  Jehovah  in  a  single  day  ;  that  is,  before 
he  literally  gave  sleep  to  his  eyes,  or  slumber  to  his  eyelids.  From 
inattention  to  the  same  thing,  Psalm  li.  5  has  been  made  to  con- 
vey a  meaning  at  war  with  the  attributes  of  God,  with  common 
sense,  and  with  other  portions  of  the  sacred  volume. 

In  regard  to  the  construction  of  Hebrew  poetry,  so  far  as  quan- 
tity is  concerned,  we  are  entirely  ignorant.  It  is  true,  that  now 
and  then  a  scholar  has  arisen  who  thought  he  could  perceive  the 
measures  of  Greek  and  Latin  verse  in  the  productions  of  the  He- 
brew poets.  Josephus,  too,  speaks  of  the  trimeters  and  pentame- 
ters of  David.  St.  Jerome,  also,  observes,  —  "  If  any  one  doubt 
that  the  Hebrews  employed  similar  measures  to  those  of  Horace, 
Pindar,  Alcseus,  and  Sappho,  let  him  read  Philo,  Josephus,  Ori- 
gen,  and  Eusebius,  and  find  by  their  testimony  whether  my  asser- 
tion be  true."  But  the  ears  of  a  vast  majority  of  Hebrew  scholars 
have  not  been  able  to  detect  any  such  measures  in  Hebrew  poetry, 
nor  to  distinguish  it  from  prose,  so  far  as  mere  sound,  or  quantity, 
is  concerned.  That,  in  the  ancient  mode  of  pronouncing  the  He- 
brew language,  such  measures  existed,  it  is  not  necessary  to  deny. 
But  if  the  ears  of  ninety-nine  in  a  hundred  are  to  be  trusted,  it  is 
impossible  to  discover  them.* 

What  is  obvious  in  the  sacred  poetry  is  a  division  into  lines  of 
nearly  equal  length,  or  containing  nearly  the  same  number  of  syl- 
lables, two  of  which  lines  generally  form  a  verse,  or  complete  a 
sentence.  In  several  compositions,  the  initial  letters  of  the  suc- 
cessive lines  or  stanzas  follow  the  order  of  the  letters  of  the  He- 
brew alphabet.  This  is  the  case  with  seven  of  the  psalms,  four 
chapters  of  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah,  and  the  last  chapter  of 
Proverbs,  from  the  tenth  verse  to  the  end. 

But  the  most  important  feature  in  the  construction  of  Hebrew 
verse  is  as  obvious  in  a  translation  as  in  the  original.     It  is  what 


*  For  a  good  view  of  this  subject,  see  the  Introduction  to  De 
Wette's  Commentary  on  the  Psalms,  and  the  works  to  which  he 
refers.  A  translation  of  it  may  be  found  in  the  Bibhcal  Repository 
for  July,  1833. 


34  INTRODUCTION. 

may  be  called  a  rhythm  of  sentiment.  A  period  is  divided  into 
members,  generally  two,  but  sometimes  more,  which,  as  it  were, 
balance  each  other  by  thought  corresponding  to  thought  in  repe- 
tition, in  amplification,  in  reply,  or  in  contrast. 

This  feature  of  Hebrew  poetry  is  called  parallelism.  The  illus- 
tration of  it  constitutes  the  great  merit  of  Dr.  Lowth.  A  more 
complete  view  of  its  varieties  has  been  given  by  De  Wette,  in  his 
Introduction  to  the  Psalms,  which  I  shall  in  substance  transcribe.* 

The  Hebrew  rhythm,  namely,  the  parallelism  of  members,  is 
nothing  more  nor  less  than  a  rhythmical  proportion,  and  that  of 
the  simplest  sort,  between  the  larger  sections  or  members  of  a 
period,  the  smaller  being  neglected.  Nothing  is  more  simple 
than  the  symmetry,  the  proportion  between  two  parts  of  a  whole, 
—  the  proportion  between  several  begins  to  require  more  ingenuity 
and  calculation.  Thus,  the  relation  between  parallel  lines  is  the 
simplest  that  we  can  conceive  to  exist  between  different  lines ;  the 
triangle,  the  square,  already  begin  to  be  more  complex,  and  the 
circle  is  the  most  perfect  of  all  figures.  It  might  also  be  remarked, 
that  every  period  consisting  of  two  propositions  forms  a  whole, 
and  suffices  for  a  full  expression  of  the  voice  and  satisfying  of  the 
ear  ;  while  a  single  proposition  is  insufficient  for  either.  The 
breast  is  still  elevated,  the  ear  continues  to  listen,  and  yet  there 
is  nothing  more  to  be  said,  nothing  more  to  be  heard.  In  fact, 
the  parallelism  of  members  seems  to  be  a  fundamental  law  of 
rhythm.  It  obviously  lies  at  the  foundation  of  the  rhyme,  where 
one  verse  is  made  to  answer  to  the  other.  The  more  complicated 
forms  of  rhyme,  in  the  stanza,  sonnet,  &c.,  were  invented  at  a 
comparatively  later  period  ;  but  even  in  these  the  law  of  parallel- 
ism may  still  be  detected  ;  at  least,  the  ottave  rime  and  the  sonnet 
naturally  fall  into  two  divisions,  each  answering  to  the  other. f 
In  like  manner,  the  relation  of  the  hexameter  and  pentameter  is 
that  of  parallelism,  and  even  the  lyric  strophes  admit  perhaps  of 


*   See  IJil.Iical  Repository  for  1833,  p.  494. 

t  In  llie  former,  the  two  concliuling  verses  are  parallel  to  the 
first  six,  and  in  the  second  there  is  the  same  relation  between  the 
first  eight  and  tlie  last  six  verses. 


INTRODUCTION.  35 

being  referred  to  the  same  form.  The  relation  of  the  strophe, 
antistrophe,  and  epode,  on  the  contrary,  already  indicates  the 
transposition  of  the  parallelism  to  the  more  perfect  form  of  the 
triang-le. 

But  in  what  does  the  parallelism  of  members  in  the  Hebrew- 
poetry  consist,  and  how  is  it  indicated  ?  Here  we  must  forget  all 
the  demands  which  might  be  made  by  the  delicate,  musical  ear  of 
the  Greeks,  so  sensitive  to  the  measure  of  time,  or  by  that  of  the 
modems,  so  partial  to  similitude  of  sound.  The  Hebrew  has 
neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  His  rhythm  belonged  more  to  the 
thought  than  to  the  outward  form  and  sound  ;  and  he  therefore 
indicated  his  rhythmical  divisions  by  the  divisions  of  the  thought, 
and  the  proportion  of  the  rhythmical  propositions  by  that  of  the 
subject-matter. 

The  following  circumstances  contributed  perhaps  in  some 
measure  to  the  formation  of  this  rhythm  of  thought.  The  He- 
brew, and  whoever  like  him  stands  at  that  point  of  intellectual 
cultivation  where  the  mind  is  in  a  condition  to  seize  only  certain 
general  and  simple  relations  of  things,  is  fond  of  presenting  his 
ideas  and  feelings  in  short  sentences  ;  these  sentences  are  con- 
nected with  each  other  in  a  manner  which  possesses  but  little 
variety,  usually  according  to  the  law  of  resemblance  and  contrast 
(a  law  which  readily  presents  itself  to  the  observing  understand- 
ing), and  for  the  most  part  only  in  couplets,  because  the  combina- 
tion of  several  sentences  implies  already  the  notice  of  a  greater 
variety  of  relations.  This  speaking  in  short  sentences  is  still  fur- 
ther favored  by  the  impassioned  tone  of  the  speaker  ;  for,  in  the 
fulness  and  glow  of  inspiration  and  internal  feeling,  the  words  are 
slow  to  adapt  themselves  to  the  thought,  the  speaker  struggles 
with  language,  and  wrests  from  it  nothing  but  single  short  expres- 
sions. A  peculiar  fondness  is  manifested  in  this  style  of  speaking 
for  tautology  and  comparison.  There  is  a  want  of  versatility  and 
variety  of  expression,  and  yet  there  is  a  wish  to  express  one's  self 
fully,  and  to  present  the  subject  in  various  points  of  light ;  hence 
the  same  thing  is  often  repeated  in  synonymous  expressions  and 
figures.  Now,  if  a  person  who  speaks  in  this  way  is  disposed  to 
introduce  into  his  discourse  a  regular  rhythm,  a  proportion  be- 


36  INTRODUCTION. 

tvveen  the  several  propositions  presents  itself  as  a  ready  expedient, 
whose  original  law  will  be  that  of  resemblance  and  contrast,  the 
law  by  which,  in  other  cases,  one  proposition  is  arranged  with 
another. 

After  these  remarks,  nothing  will  appear  more  natural  than 
the  following  form  of  discourse,  Job  vii.  1  -  3  :  — 

"  Is  there  not  a  hard  service  for  man  on  the  earth  1 
Are  not  Iiis  days  as  the  days  of  a  hireling  1 
As  a  servant  who  panteth  for  the  shade. 
And  as  a  hireling  who  looketh  for  his  reward, 
So  am  I  made  to  possess  months  of  affliction, 
And  wearisome  nights  are  appointed  for  me." 

"  The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  all  that  is  thereir  ; 
The  world,  and  they  who  inhabit  it. 
For  he  hath  founded  it  upon  the  seas, 
And  established  it  upon  the  floods." 

Ps.  xxiv.  1,2;  — 

where  each  thought  is  twice  expressed,  and  after  each  such  repe- 
tition there  is  a  pause. 

But  the  parallelism  of  members  is  of  different  kinds.  In  the 
first  place,  it  differs  according  to  the  different  laws  of  the  asso- 
ciation of  thoughts.*  The  two  principal  laws  of  resemblance 
and  contrast  or  antithesis  produce  the  synonymous  and  antithetic 
parallelism,  according  to  the  terminology  of  Lowth  ;  a  third  is 
founded  simply  upon  a  resemblance  in  the  form  of  construction 
and  progression  of  the  thoughts,  and  this  we  may  call  with  Lowth 
the  synthetic  parallelism.  With  the  synonymous  parallelism  be- 
longs also  the  identical,  or  the  repetition  with  suspense ;  for  exam- 
ple, Job  xviii.  13  :< — 

"  The  limbs  of  his  body  are  consumed. 
Yea,  his  limbs  are  devoured  by  the  first-born  of  death." 

Under    the  term  synonymous    is    included    also  comparison. 


*  This  is  the  basis  of  the  classification  of  parallelism  given  by 
Lowth,  Lect.  XIX. 


INTRODUCTION.  37 

subordination,  etc.  But  as  we  are  concerned  at  present  chiefly 
with  the  rhythmical  form,  we  shall  venture  upon  another  classifi- 
cation, and  only  retain  the  logical  arrangement  in  the  minor 
divisions. 

I.  Thought  is  represented  by  words ;  hence,  it  will  frequently 
happen,  where  there  is  a  perfect  resemblance  or  antithesis  of 
thoughts,  that  the  words  will  he  equal,  at  least  in  their  number  ; 
and  sometimes,  on  account  of  the  similar  construction  and  po- 
sition of  the  words,  there  will  also  be  a  certain  resemblance  of 
sound.  This  we  may  call  the  original,  perfect  kind  of  paral- 
lelism of  members,  which  coincides  with  metre  and  rhyme,  yet 
without  being  the  same  with  them.  Such  is  the  kind  of  paral- 
lelism in  which  the  song  of  Lamcch  is  composed.  Gen.  iv.  23. 
The  translation  can  present  nothing  more  than  the  equality  in  the 
number  and  position  of  the  words  ;  the  rhyme  must  be  omitted  :  — 

"  Adah  and'^Zillah,  hear  my  voice  ! 
Ye  wives  of  Lamech,  mark  my  speech  ! 
For  I  have  slain  a  man  for  my  wound. 
And  a  young  man  —  for  my  hurt. 
If  Cain  was  avenged  seven-fold. 
Then  Lamech  —  seventy  times  seven." 

Here  all  is  nearly  equal,  except  the  places  marked  with  a  dash, 
where  the  words  must  be  supplied  from  the  preceding  member. 
Similar  examples  of  rhyme  occur  in  Ps.  viii.  5,  xxv.  4,  Ixxxv. 
11,  cvi.  5.*     For  more  see  Schindler,t  and  Leut\vcin.| 

Verses  similar  in  their  termination,  but  unequal  in  the  number 
of  their  words,  and  without  exact  parallelism  of  thought,  occur 
in  the  following  passage,  Job  x.  17  :  — 

"  Thou  renewest  thy  witnesses  against  me. 
And  increasest  thine  anger  toward  me  ; 
New  hosts  continually  rise  up  against  me." 

*  The  references  are  to  the  verses  as  numbered  in  the  Hebrew 
Bible,  in  which  the  inscriptions  in  the  Psalms  to  "  the  leader  of  the 
music,"  &c.,  are  numbered  as  one  verse,  and  in  which  the  number- 
ing of  other  verses  varies  a  little  from  that  of  the  English  version. 

t  Tract,  de  Accent.  Hebr.,  p.  81,  seq.         \  L.  c,  p.  51,  seq. 
4 


38  INTRODUCTION. 

Equality  in  the  number  of  words,  together  with  exact  propor- 
tion of  thought,  is  a  case  of  frequent  occui-rence  in  Job  ;  for 
example,  chap.  vi.  5  :  — 

"  Doth  the  wild  ass  bray  in  the  midst  of  grass, 
Or  doth  the  ox  low  over  his  fodder?  " 

Comp.  ch.  vi.  23,  viii.  2. 

We  have  an  example  of  equality  in  words,  with  antithesis  of 
thought,  Ps.  XX.  9  :  — 

"  They  stumble  and  fall, 
But  we  stand  and  are  erect." 

Comp.  Is.  Ixv.  13. 

Also  in  the  synthetic  parallelism,  equality  in  the  number  of 
words  sometimes  occurs  ;  for  example,  Ps.  xix.  8  :  — 

"  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  reviving  the  soul ; 
The  precepts  of  the  Lord  are  sure,  making  wise  the  simple." 

For  many  examples  of  this  case,  in  which  the  number  of 
words  is  equal,  see  Leutwein,  p.  64,  seq. 

II.  But  this  external  proportion  of  words  is  not  the  essential 
part  of  the  parallelism  of  members.  It  may  be  adopted,  it  is 
true,  as  a  rule,  that  the  number  of  words  is  about  equal,  especial- 
ly in  certain  books,  as  the  Proverbs  of  Solomon,  and  Job;  but 
in  the  Psalms  a  great  inequality  prevails.  This  inequality  is  of 
diflcrcnt  kinds,  as  follows. 

1.  The  simple  unequal  parallelism,  in  which  one  of  the  mem- 
bers is  too  short,  compared  with  the  other  ;  for  example,  Ps. 
Ixviii.  33  :  — 

"  Ye  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  sing  unto  God  ; 
Sing  praises  to  the  Lord." 

This  construction  frequently  produces  a  grand  effect ;  for  ex- 
ample, Ps.  xxxvii.  13,  xlviii.  5,  Job  xiv.  14,  where  the  con- 
ciseness of  expression  adds  in  one  case  to  the  vividness  of  the 
thought,  in  the  other  to  its  emphasis. 

Yet  in  tiicsc  examples  the  inequality  seems  to  have  arisen 
fn.m   tJKi   brevity  of  th(>    thouglit  ;    it    fell  naturally   into  these 


INTRODUCTION.  39 

words,  and  the  poet  let  it  pass.  Hence,  it  is  still  not  inconceivable 
that  there  might  have  been  a  metre.  We  also  sometimes  sacrifice 
metre  to  conciseness  of  thought,  to  emphasis,  to  a  pause. 

2.  But  a  still  more  frequent  kind  of  unequal  parallelism,  viz. 
the  complex,  admits  not  of  this  explanation.  It  consists  in  this, 
that  either  (a)  the  first  member,  or  (b)  the  second  member,  is 
composed  of  two  propositions,  so  that  a  complex  member  corre- 
sponds to  a  simple  one.  This  structure  arises  whenever,  in  addition 
to  the  principal  parallelism  of  thought,  another  subordinate  par- 
allelism presents  itself  to  the  poet  in  the  full  flow  of  his  thoughts 
and  feelings ;  hence,  we  most  frequently  meet  with  it  in  lively, 
impassioned  passages.  It  occurs  more  rarely  in  the  book  of  Job, 
commonly  in  the  speeches  of  Job  himself,  which  sometimes  rise 
to  the  lofty  lyric  style  ;  but  it  is  frequently  to  be  met  with  in  the 
Psalms.  Hence,  there  are  also  different  kinds  of  parallelism, 
according  to  the  logical  connection  of  the  propositions :  — 

N)  The  synonymous  ;  for  example,  Ps.  xxxvi.  7  :  — 

* '  Thy  righteousness  is  like  the  high  mountains  ; 
Thy  judgments  are  a  great  deep  ; 
Thou,  O  Lord,  preservest  man  and  beast !  " 

Job  x.  1 :  — 

"  I  am  weary  of  my  life  ; 
I  will  give  myself  up  to  complaint ; 
I  will  speak  in  the  bitterness  of  my  soul." 

Comp.  Job  iii.  5,  vii.  11,  Ps.  cxti.  10. 
3)  The  antithetic,  Ps.  xv.  4  :  — 
"  In  whose  eyes  a  vile  person  is  contemned  ;' 
But  who  honoreth  them  that  fear  the  Lord  ; 
Who  sweareth  to  his  neighbour,  and  changeth  not." 

Comp.  Job  X.  15,  Ps.  xlix.  11. 
j)  The  synthetic,  Ps.  xv.  5  :  — 
"  He  that  lendeth  not  his  money  for  interest. 
And  taketh  not  a  bribe  against  the  innocent. 
He,- that  doeth  these  things  shall  never  fall." 

Comp.  Job  X.  17,  XX.  26,  Ps.  xxii.  25,  xiv.  7,  xviii.  31. 


'  40 


INTRODUCTION. 


3.  Sometimes  the  simple  member  is  disproportionably  small, 
so  that  the  inequality  is  still  more  striking  ;   for  example,  Ps.  xl. 

10:  — 

"  I  have  proclaimed  thy  righteousness  in  the  great  congrega- 
tion, 
Lo,  I  have  not  restrained  my  lips, 
O  Lord,  thou  knowest." 
Sometimes  a  noble  effect  is  thus  produced  ;  for  example,  Ps. 
xci.  7  :  — 

'<  A  thousand  shall  fall  by  thy  side. 
And  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand, 
But  thee  it  shall  not  touch." 

Comp.  Cant.  vi.  4. 

Frequently  there  is  a  parallelism  in  each  several  proposition 
and  member  ;  for  example,  Ps.  Ixix.  21 ;  — 

"  Reproach  hath  broken  my  heart,  and  I  am  full  of  heaviness ; 
I  look  for  pity,  but  there  is  none  ; 
For  comforters,  but  find  none." 

Here  belongs  also  Ps.  Ixix.  5  :  — 

"More  numerous  than  the  hairs  of  my  head  are  they  who 
hate  me  without  reason  ; 
Mighty  are  they  who  seek  to  destroy  me,  being  my  enemies 

without  cause  ; 
I  must  restore  what  I  took  not  aw^ay." 
4.  Sometimes  the  complex  member  is  increased  to  three  or 
four  propositions  ;  for  example,  Ps.  i.  3  :  — 

"  He  is  like  a  tree  planted  by  streams  of  water. 
That  bringeth  forth  its  fruit  in  its  season, 
Whose  leaves  also  do  not  wither  ; 
All  that  he  doeth  shall  prosper." 
Comp.  Ps.  Ixv.  10,  Ixviii.  31,  Ixxxviii.  6.  This  form  is  particu- 
larly frequent  in  the  prophets,  who,  approaching,  as  they  generally 
do,  nearer  to  prose,  often  allow  the  parallelism  to  flow  almost  into 
a  free,  prosaic  diction.     Members  with  three  propositions  occur  in 
Amos  i.  5,  ii.  M,  Mic.  v.  4.     Indeed,  no  less  than  four  propo- 


INTRODUCTION.  41 

sitions  sometimes  form  one  member,  and  with  a  grand  effect ;  for 
example,  Amos  iv.  13  :  — 

"  For  behold,  he  formed  the  mountains  and  created  the  wind ; 
He  declareth  to  man  what  is  his  thought ; 
He  maketh  the  morning  darkness, 
And  walketh  upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth  ; 
Jehovah,  God  of  hosts,  is  his  name." 

5.  Instead  of  the  full  subordinate  parallelism,   we   sometimes 
find  only  a  short  clause  or  supplement,  for  the  most  part  in  the 
second  member  ;  for  example,  Ps.  xxiii.  3  :  — 
"  He  reviveth  my  spirit  ; 
He  leadeth  me  in  the  right  paths. 
For  his  name's  sake." 
Comp.  Ps.  V.  3,  xxvii.  11,  12,  &c. 

In  these  forms  of  parallelism  the  proportion  is  apparently  de- 
stroyed ;  but  it  is  not  so,  provided  we  suppose  it  to  consist,  not  in 
the  number  of  the  words  and  extent  of  the  period,  but  in  the 
thoughts.  The  relation  between  two  thoughts  remains  essentially 
the  same,  although  one  of  them  may  be  more  fully  developed  than 
the  other.  As  it  does  not  depend  in  the  least  upon  the  measure 
of  the  words,  a  considerable  inequality  in  these  makes  no  differ- 
ence. It  were  well  if  we  could  but  always  forget,  Avhat  was  un- 
known to  the  Hebrew,  the  rule  which  requires  a  measure  of  time 
in  rhythm. 

III.  Out  of  the  parallelism  which  is  rendered  unequal  by  the 
complexity  of  one  of  the  members,  there  arises,  in  the  case  of  a 
still  greater  fulness  of  thought,  another,  in  which  the  equality  is 
restored  by  both  members  becoming  complex.  Here  richness  of 
matter  is  combined  with  perfect  proportion  of  form.  The  modes 
of  combination  are  again  the  same,  and  accordingly  we  meet  with 
the  same  species  of  parallelism  :  — 

K)  The  synonymous  ;  for  example,  Ps.  xxxi.  11 :  — 
"  For  my  life  is  wasted  with  sorrow, 
And  my  years  with  sighing  ; 
My  strength  faileth  by  reason  of  my  affliction. 
And  my  bones  are  consumed  on  account  of  all  my  enemies." 
4* 


42 


INTRODUCTION. 


Sometimes  the  members  have  an  alternate  correspondence  ;  for 
example,  Ps.  xl.  17  :  — 

"But  let  all  who  seek  thee 
Be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thee ; 
Let  those  who  love  thy  protection 
Ever  say,  — '  Exalted  be  Jehovah.'  " 

Comp.  Ps.  XXXV.  26,  xxxvii.  14,  Cant.  v.  3,  Ps.  Ixxix.  2,  Mic. 
i.  4. 

3)  The  antithetic ;  for  example,  Ps.  xxx.  6  :  — 

"  For  his  anger  endureth  but  a  moment, 
But  his  favor  through  life  ; 
Sorrow  may  be  a  guest  for  the  night. 
But  joy  Cometh  in  the  morning." 

Comp.  Ps.  Iv.  22. 

Sometimes  there  is  an  alternate  correspondence  in  the  antith- 
esis ;  Ps.  xliv.  3  :  — 

"  With  thine  own  hand  didst  thou  drive  out  the  nations, 
And  plant  our  fathers ; 
Thou  didst  destroy  the  nations. 
And  cause  our  fathers  to  flourish." 
Comp.  Is.  liv.  10. 

1)  There  are  also  instances  of  this  double   parallelism  with 
the  synthetic  structure  ;  for  example,  Cant.  ii.  3  :  — 

"  As  the  apple-tree  among  the  trees  of  the  forest. 
So  is  my  beloved  among  the  sons  ; 
In  his  shadow  I  love  to  sit  down, 
And  his  fruit  is  sweet  to  my  taste." 

"  As  high  as  are  the  heavens  above  the  earth. 
So  great  is  his  mercy  to  them  that  fear  him  ; 
As  far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west. 
So  far  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us." 

Ps.  ciii.  11,  12. 

Sometimes  there  are  triplet  parallelisms,  both  of  the  synony- 
mous and  synthetic  class.     Thus, 


INTRODUCTION.  43 

"  The  floods,  O  Jehovah, 

The  floods  lift  up  their  voice  ; 

The  floods  lift  up  their  roaring. 

Mightier  than  the  voice  of  many  waters, 

Yea,  than  the  mighty  waves  of  the  sea. 

Is  Jehovah  in  his  lofty  habitation." 

Ps.  xciii.  3,  4. 

"  Thy  thunder  roared  in  the  whirlwind  ; 

Thy  lightning  illumined  the  world  ; 

The  earth  trembled  and  shook. 

Thy  way  was  through  the  sea, 

And  thy  path  through  great  waters. 

And  thy  footsteps  could  not  be  found." 

Ps.  Ixxvii.  18,  19. 

This  species  of  double  parallelism  occurs  with  peculiar  fre- 
quency in  the  prophets ;  corap.  Am.  i.  2,  iii.  4  seq.,  iv.  4  seq.,  ix. 
2  seq.,  Mic.  i.  4  seq.,  iii.  6  seq.,  Nah.  i.  1,  ii.  1  seq.,  Hab.  i.  13, 
16.  Indeed,  they  were  not  satisfied  with  the  latitude  of  this  form, 
but  gave  to  one  of  the  members,  or  even  to  both,  more  than  two 
propositions,  and  sometimes  as  many  as  four;  for  example,  Hab. 
iii.  17  :  — 

"  For  the  fig-tree  shall  not  blossom. 

And  there  shall  be  no  fruit  upon  the  vine  ; 

The  produce  of  the  olive  shall  fail. 

And  the  fields  shall  yield  no  food  ; 

The  flocks  shall  be  cut  off  from  the  folds. 

And  there  shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls." 
Comp.  Amos  ii.  9,  v.  5,  vii.  17,  Mic.  ii.  13,  vii.  3,  Hab.  ii.  5,  iii.  17. 
In  the  better  poets  these  subordinate  propositions  are  short,  in 
the  other  long,  which  occasions  a  sort  of  dragging  ;  for  example, 
Zeph.  iii.  19,  20. 

IV.  But  we  should  entertain  too  narrow  a  view  of  the  paral- 
lelism of  members,  if  we  supposed  it  to  consist  exclusively  in  the 
proportion  of  the  thoughts.  For  how  could  we  dispose  of  the 
numerous  passages  where  this  is  entirely  wanting,  —  where  the 
thoughts  are  found  to  correspond  to  each  other  neither  by  their 
resemblance,  nor  by  antithesis,  nor  by  synthesis  1   The  parallelism 


44  INTRODUCTION. 

of  members  assumed  further  a  simply  external  rhythmical  form, 
such  as  rhyme  is.  Originally  and  according  to  rule,  it  was  ex- 
pressed in  the  matter  ;  but  next  it  left  its  impression  as  a  distinct 
form,  even  where  the  matter  did  not  correspond  to  it.  The  pro- 
portion grew  habitual,  and  hence  greater  freedom  and  license  in 
the  thoughts  were  sometimes  tolerated  ;  besides,  the  constant  re- 
currence of  resemblance  and  antithesis  would  have  been  tedious 
both  to  poet  and  hearer.  This  species  of  parallelism  we  shall  call 
the  rhythmical,  because  it  consists  simply  in  the  form  of  the  period. 
Examples  of  it  occur  in  all  the  kinds.* 

1)  With  the  number  of  the  words  nearly  equal ;  for  example, 
Ps.  xix.  12:  — 

"  By  them  also  is  thy  servant  warned, 
And  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward." 

2)  With  striking  inequality  in  the  number  of  the  words ;  for 
example,  Ps.  xxx.  3  :  — 

"  O  Jehovah,  my  God  ! 
I  called  upon  thee,  and  thou  hast  healed  me." 

3)  With  a  double  and  a  simple  member ;  for  example,  Ps.  xiv. 
7:  — 

"  O  that  salvation  for  Israel  would  come  out  of  Zion  ! 
When  the  Lord  bringeth  back  the  captives  of  his  people. 
Then  shall  Jacob  rejoice,  and  Israel  be  glad." 

It  is  deserving  of  remark,  how  the  rhythmical  parallelism 
makes  good  its  place,  where  three  parallel  thoughts  occur,  and 
there  is  no  internal  ground  for  dividing  them  into  exactly  two 
members  ;  for  example,  Ps.  i.  1 :  — 

"  Happy  the  man  that  walkcth  not  in  the  paths  of  the  un- 
righteous. 
Nor  standelh  in  the  way  of  sinners. 
Nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  scoffers." 


It  is  highly  important  to  distinguish  this  sort  of  parallelism, 
in  order  to  avoid  the  mistakes  which  have  so  frequently  arisen  from 
the  abuse  of  the  jjarallelism  of  members  as  an  exegetical  help. 


INTRODUCTION.  45 

4)  With  two  double  members  ;  for  example,  Ps.  xxxi.  23  :  — 
"  I  said  in  my  distress, 
I  am  cut  off  from  before  thine  eyes, 
But  thou  didst  hear  the  voice  of  my  supplication, 
When  I  cried  unto  thee." 
When  the  members  of  this  rhythmical  parallelism  are  more 
than  double,  which  is  sometimes  the  case,  it  approaches  very  near 
to  prose  ;  it  is  too  loose  a  form  to  retain  an  exuberant  matter  with- 
out passing  over  into  the  prosaic  style.     With  good  poets,  this  is 
rarely  the  case,  but  it  sometimes  occurs ;  for  example.  Am.  vi.  10 ; 
with  the  later  and  less  correct,  it  happens  more  frequently ;  for  ex- 
ample, Mai.  i.  6,  Zech.  xiii.  3,  x,  6,  Zeph.  iii.  8.     The  length  of 
the  members  contributes  in  a  special  manner  to  destroy  the  rhyth- 
mical form.     But  while  this  form  of  parallelism  brings  us  to  the 
utmost  limits  of  the  province  of  rhythm,  it  also  settles  the  question, 
that  the  parallelism  of  members  is  really  a  rhythmical  form,  which 
there  would  be  room  to  doubt,  if  we  had  nothing  but  parallelism  of 
thoughts. 

The  simply  rhythmical  parallelism  holds  the  most  prominent 
place  in  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah.  Here  the  parallelism  of 
thoughts  is  to  be  reckoned  almost  among  the  exceptions,  and  when 
it  does  occur,  it  is,  for  the  most  part,  the  subordinate  parallelism 
of  a  member  by  itself;  in  general,  the  rhythm  alone  predominates, 
and  that  too  with  a  regularity  which  is  rare  among  Hebrew  poets, 
producing  here  a  suitable  effect,  namely,  monotony  of  complaint. 
The  following  orders  of  rhythm  may  be  traced  in  the  Lamen- 
tations.* In  chapters  first  and  second,  the  verses  consist  of  three 
members,  the  first  two  of  which  constitute  one  parallel,  and  stand 
over  against  the  third,  as  the  second  parallel.  Each  member  has 
besides  a  csBSura,  which  coincides  with  the  sense  and  the  accent. 
Still,  however,  we  are  sometimes  under  the  necessity  of  abandon- 
ing the  accents,  because  they  follow  the  sense,  while  the  rhythm 
is  independent  of  the  sense.  According  to  the  accents,  the  first 
parallel  is  sometimes  simple,  for  example,  ch.  ii.  6,  yet  without 

«  Comp.  Lowth.  Preelect.,  XXII.,  p.  257,  seq. 


46  INTRODUCTION. 

a  valid  logical  ground.  The  periods  in  ch.  i.  7,  and  ch.  ii.  19, 
are  distinguished  by  having  four  members.  It  is  remarkable  that 
the  length  of  these  verses  should  so  greatly  exceed  those  which 
elsewhere  occur  in  Hebrew  poetry.  Lowth  is  of  the  opinion  that 
these  long  verses  are  adapted  to  lamentation,  and  it  must  be  ac- 
knowledged that  they  do  have  a  tendency  to  produce  a  certain  im- 
pression of  melancholy.  Ch.  iii.  has  only  verses  of  one  member, 
■without  parallelism  ;  yet  this  one  member  is  rhythmically  divided 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce,  if  not  a  complete  rhythmical  par- 
allelism, yet  a  supplementary  clause  which  conduces  to  repose. 
Here  again  the  accents  sometimes  stand  in  the  way ;  for  example, 
ch.  iii.  3,  where  Dm  hj  is  not  enough  to  form  a  supplementary 
clause.  Tiphcha,  also,  sometimes  changes  place  with  Zakeph 
Katon,  although  the  rhythmical  caesura  is  always  the  same.  Per- 
haps, however,  every  three  verses  are  to  be  considered  as  a  rhyth- 
mical whole,  as  they  are  connected  by  having  the  same  initial  let- 
ters. Ch.  V.  is  of  the  same  structure  with  ch.  iii.,  except  that  it 
has  a  real  short  rhythmical  parallelism,  which,  however,  the  au- 
thors of  the  accents  did  not  consider  as  complete,  and  therefore 
have  not  separated  with  Athnach.  Ch.  iv.  has  double  parallelism, 
but  for  the  most  part  simply  rhythmical. 

We  must  notice  one  more  exception  in  Hebrew  rhythm. 
There  sometimes  occur  separate  propositions  of  a  single  member, 
almost  always  introduced  with  design,  since  the  poet  lingers  upon 
the  thought ;  we  may  conceive  it  to  be  accompanied  with  a  long 
pause  ;  for  example,  Ps.  xxiii.  1,  xxv.  1.  Here  the  poet  indicates, 
as  it  were,  the  tone  and  character  of  the  song,  and  after  a  pause, 
again  collects  himself.     Cant.  vii.  6  is  beautiful :  — 

*'  How  fair,  how  pleasant  art  thou,  love,  in  delights  !  " 
where  the  poet  loses  himself,  as  it  were,  in  the  contemplation  of 
beauty.     In  Job  x.  22  the  voice  sinks  with  two  parallel  clauses 
beautifully  to  repose. 

i  •'  In  this  peculiar  conformation,  or  parallelism  of  the  sentences," 
says  Lowth,  "  I  apprehend  a  considerable  part  of  the  Hebrew 
metre  to  consist ;  though  it  is  not  improbable  that  some  regard 
was  also  paid  to  the  numbers  and  feet.  But  of  this  particular 
we  have  at  present  so  little  information,  that  it  is  utterly  impos- 


INTRODUCTION.  47 

sible  to  determine  whether  it  were  modulated  by  the  ear  alone, 
or  according  to  any  settled  or  definite  rules  of  prosody." 

"  The  nervous  simplicity  and  conciseness  of  the  Hebrew 
muse,"  says  the  poet  Campbell,  "  prevent  this  parallelism  from 
degenerating  into  monotony.  In  repeating  the  same  idea  in 
different  words,  she  seems  as  if  displaying  a  fine  opal,  that  dis- 
covers fresh  beauty  in  every  new  light  to  which  it  is  turned. 
Her  amplifications  of  a  given  thought  are  like  the  echoes  of  a 
solemn  melody,  —  her  repetitions  of  it  like  the  landscape  reflected 
in  the  stream  ;  and  whilst  her  questions  and  responses  give  a  hfe- 
like  effect  to  her  compositions,  they  remind  us  of  the  alternate 
voices  in  public  devotion,  to  which  they  were  manifestly  adapted." 

The  parallelism  affords  an  important  aid  in  interpretation. 
For  sometimes  the  meaning  of  one  member  of  a  verse  is  clear, 
where  that  of  the  other  is  ambiguous.  Thus,  the  new  transla- 
tion of  Ps.  xxiv.  4  is  confirmed  by  the  parallelism,  though  it 
does  not  depend  upon  it.     In  Ps.  Iv.  15  :  — 

"  May  sudden  death  seize  upon  them! 
May  they  go  down  to  the  underworld  alive !  " 

the  second  line  is  no  doubt  intended  to  be  synonymous  with  the 
first,  and  is  completely  explained  by  it. 

What  goes  beyond  this  simple  rhythm,  in  the  rhythmical  art  of 
the  Hebrews,  amounts  to  but  little.     Here  belongs,  — 

1.  The  artificial  arrangement  of  the  alphabetical  psalms. 
Thus  Ps.  XXV.,  xxxiv.,  xxxvii.,  cxi.,  cxii.,  cxix.,  cxlv.,  Prov. 
xxxi.  10  seq.,  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah,  with  the  exception 
of  the  last  chapter,  are  alphabetically  arranged  by  the  initial  let- 
ters of  the  verses,  and  this  in  different  ways.  Commonly  each 
verse  begins  with  a  new  letter;  in  Ps.  xxxvii.,  however,  only 
every  other  verse,  though  with  interruption  and  change  ;  in  Ps. 
cxix.  and  Lam.  iii.,  there  are  alphabetical  strophes,  as  it  were, 
that  is,  a  series  of  verses  have  the  same  initial  letters  ;  in  Ps.  cxi., 
cxii.,  the  half-verses  are  alphabetically  arranged.  This  arrange- 
ment answers  for  us  the  valuable  purposes  of  proving  the  exist- 
ence of  the  parallelism  of  members,  and  of  confirming  the  system 


48  INTRODUCTION. 

of  accentuation  in  the  division  of  verses  and  half- verses,  respecting 
which  we  might  otherwise  have  our  doubts,  as  well  as  respecting 
the  whole  law  of  parallelism.  The  alphabetical  arrangement  is 
supposed  by  many  *  to  have  been  intended  to  assist  the  memory. 
Michaelis,  indeed,  was  of  the  opinion,  that  it  was  employed  in  the 
first  place  in  the  funeral  dirge  as  an  aid  to  the  mourners,  and 
afterwards  employed  on  other  occasions.  Lowth  supposes  that  the 
alphabetic  poetry  "  was  confined  altogether  to  those  compositions 
which  consisted  of  detached  maxims,  or  sentiments  without  any 
express  order  or  connection."  I  consider  the  alphabetic  arrange- 
ment as  a  contrivance  of  the  rhythmical  art,  an  offspring  of  the 
later  vitiated  taste.  When  the  spirit  of  poetry  is  flown,  men  cling 
to  the  lifeless  body,  the  rhythmical  form,  and  seek  to  supply  its 
absence  by  this.  In  truth,  nearly  all  the  alphabetical  compositions 
are  remarkable  for  the  want  of  connection  (which  I  regard  as  the 
consequence,  instead  of  the  cause,  of  the  alphabetical  construction), 
for  common  thoughts,  coldness  and  languor  of  feeling,  and  a  low 
and  occasionally  mechanical  phraseology.  The  thirty-seventh 
psalm,  which  is  the  most  free  in  its  alphabetical  arrangement,  is 
perhaps  alone  to  be  excepted  from  this  censure,  and  in  truth  is  one 
of  the  best  didactic  poems  of  the  Hebrews.  The  Lamentations 
are,  indeed,  possessed  of  considerable  merit  in  their  way,  but  still 
betray  an  unpoetic  period  and  degenerated  taste. 

In  many  of  the  alphabetic  pieces  we  observe  certain  irregu- 
larities and  deficiencies,  which  many  (as  Capell)  have  incorrectly 
imputed  to  the  transcribers,  who  were  the  least  exposed  to  com- 
mit mistakes  in  these  compositions,  since  they  were  confined  by 
the  peculiar  arrangement  itself.  In  Ps.  xxv.  two  verses  begin 
with  X,  none  with  3  ;  yet  the  word  "riSx  in  the  second  verse 
(like  the  interjection  of  the  Greek  tragedians  ojuoi)  might  not 
have  been  included  in  the  verse,  or  (as  Bengcl  conjectures)  might 
have  been  written  in  the  margin,  in  which  case  the  following  ?]3 
would  restore  the  alphabetical  order.  Also  in  this,  and  in  Ps. 
xxxiv.,  the  1  is  wanting  ;  perhaps  it  should  be  restored  by  the  1 


*  As  Lowth,  p.  20,  259,  and  Michaelis  on  Lowth,  p.  562,  ed. 
Rosenm. 


INTRODUCTION.  49 

in  the  beginning  of  the  second  hemistich  of  the  verse  commencing 
with  n  ;  and  so  also,  perhaps,  the  p,  which  is  wanting  in  the 
seventeenth  verse  of  the  former  psalm,  should  be  replaced  by  the 
p  in  "'nip-iVr?,  at  the  beginning  of  the  second  hemistich.  On  the 
other  hand,  two  verses  begin  with  1,  and  after  the  last  letter,  P,, 
follows  another  £3.  This  last  we  find  also  at  the  close  of  the 
thirty-fourth  psalm.  Michaelis  supposes  the  3  is  counted  twice, 
on  account  of  its  double  pronunciation,  as  Pe  and  Fe.  Hasse* 
erected  upon  it  a  'paleo graphical  hypothesis  peculiar  to  himself, 
which  is  hardly  capable  of  being  sustained,  and  gives  no  satis- 
factory explanation  of  the  phenomenon  to  be  explained.  Accord- 
ing to  this,  the  concluding  £3,  with  a  softer  pronunciation,  takes 
the  place  of  the  tf>  in  the  Greek  alphabet.  The  conjecture  of 
Bengel  f  is  no  better,  who  supposes  that  1  and  £3  both  sprung  out 
of  the  Phoenician  Vau  and  Fau,  and  that  the  latter  stands  for  the 
former  ;  then  the  supernumerary  verse  with  5  must  come  in  the 
place  of  l.J  Rosenmiiller  (1st  edit.)  considers  both  verses  as 
the  additions  of  a  later  hand,  by  which  these  psalms  were  pre- 
pared for  the  public  service.  But  this  could  not  be  the  case  in 
respect  to  Ps.  xxxiv.  at  least,  as  the  last  verse  is  necessary  to  the 
concluding  of  the  whole  ;  the  conclusion  of  the  twenty-fifth  psalm 
is  also  very  appropriate,  and  cannot  well  be  dispensed  with.  In 
Ps.  xxxvii.,  V  precedes  3,  ;?  is  wanting,  and  V  is  repeated. 
Bengel  accounts  for  this  not  unsatisfactorily  from  the  interchange- 
able use  of  i*  and  ^  in  Chaldee.  Others  resort  for  help  to  criti- 
cism. The  thirty-ninth  verse  begins  with  njj-rwi'n'i,  where  per- 
haps the  1  was  not  regarded.  In  Ps.  cxlv.  the  verse  with  J  is 
wanting,  which,  according  to  Michaelis,  has  fallen  out  of  the  text. 
In  Lam.  ii.,  iii.,  iv.,  3  precedes  ^%  which  Bengel  explains  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  similar  fact  in  Ps.  xxxvii.  The  order  only 
is  different ;  it  was  the  custom  to  place  letters  of  a  similar  sound 
together. 

*  Eichhorn's  Allg.  Bibl.,  VIII.,  p.  42,  seq. 
t   L.  c,  p.  14,  N.  13. 

X  Another  explanation  of  this  irregularity  is  given  by  Vogel  in 
Capelli  Grit.,  T.  I.,  p.  123. 
5 


50  INTRODUCTION. 

Perhaps  all  these  irregularities  are  to  be  ascribed  to  the  neg- 
ligence and  unskilfulness  of  the  poets,  as  we  impute  to  the  same 
causes  the  many  harsh  and  inelegant  rhymes  of  our  older  ecclesi- 
astical poets.  The  hypothesis  of  Bengel,  that  of  many  alpha- 
betical psalms  we  have  only  the  first  imperfect  sketch,  amounts  to 
nearly  the  same  thing.  The  occurrence  of  the  same  irregularities 
in  Psalms  xxv.  and  xxxiv.  proves  their  relation  to  each  other ;  and 
the  circumstance,  that  m3,  to  redeem,  forms  the  conclusion  of 
both,  may  be  regarded  as  a  characteristic  trait  in  these  popular 
elegiac  psalms  (for  such  I  esteem  them),  as  the  later  Jews  in 
their  oppression  were  always  hoping  for  redemption. 

2.  We  find  in  the  Hebrew  poetry  the  first  beginnings  of  a 
complex  rhythmical  structure,  similar  to  our  strophes.  In  Ps. 
xlii.,xliii.,  an  odd  verse  (refrain)  forms  the  conclusion  of  a  greater 
rhythmical  period.  Something  of  the  same  kind,  though  not 
complete,  occurs  in  Ps.  cvii.,  where  verses  1-9,  10-16,  17-32, 
are  separated  by  a  nearly  similar  conclusion.  The  prophecies 
Is.  ix.  7-x.  4,  and  Am.  i.  2-ii.  16,  are  upon  the  same  plan. 
Gesenius  (on  Isaiah)  supposes  that  the  same  kind  of  refrain  is  to 
be  found  in  a  part  of  Solomon's  Song.  There  is  a  singular  spe- 
cimen of  art  in  Ps.  xlix.,  where  the  thirteenth  and  twenty-first 
verses  are  word  for  word  alike,  except  that  by  the  change  of  a 
single  letter,  pV  in  the  one  becomes  J"'^^  in  the  other,  so  that  a 
different  sense  is  produced  where  the  sound  is  entirely  similar. 

3.  The  rhythm  Iry  gradation  in  the  psalms  of  degrees  is  a 
remarkable  form.  It  consists  in  this,  that  the  thought  or  expres- 
sion of  a  preceding  verse  is  resumed  and  carried  forward  in  the 
next ;  for  example,  Ps.  cxxi.  :  — 

*'  I  lift  up  mine  eyes  to  the  hills  ; 
Whence  comcth  my  help  7 
My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 
He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  stumble  ; 
Thy  guardian  doth  not  slumber. 
Behold  !   the  guardian  of  Israel 
Doth  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 
The  Lord  is  thy  guardian  ; 


INTRODUCTION.  51 

The  Lord  is  thy  shade  at  thy  right  hand. 

The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 

Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

The  Lord  loill  preserve  thee  from  all  evil ; 

He  will  preserve  thy  life. 

The  Lord  will  preserve  thee,  when  thou  goest  out,  and  when 

thou  comest  in, 
From  this  time  forth  for  evermore." 

Gesenius  has  pointed  out  the  same  arrangement  in  the  song 
of  Deborah,  and  in  Is.  xxvi.,  where  verses  5,  6  read  thus  :  — 

"  The  lofty  city  he  hath  laid  loio, 
He  hath  laid  her  low  to  the  ground  ; 
He  hath  levelled  her  with  the  dust. 
The  foot  shall  trample  upon  her, 
The  feet  of  the  poor,  the  steps  of  the  needy." 

A  form  somewhat  similar  to  this  in  modern  poetry  is  the 
triolet ;  but  it  differs  in  making  the  whole  composition  turn  upon 
one  principal  thought. 

The  question  whether  the  Psalms  were  sung  by  choirs  may 
be  distinctly  answered  in  the  affirmative,  so  far  as  it  regards  the 
Temple  Psalms,  and  all  which  were  destined  for  the  public  ser- 
vice. It  is  still  the  custom  in  the  synagogue  for  the  assembly 
to  respond  as  a  choir  to  the  chant  of  the  chorister ;  and  Miriam 
with  her  women  formed  an  alternate  chorus,  Ex.  xv.  By  sup- 
posing many  of  the  Psalms  to  have  been  sung  in  this  way,  we 
shall  perceive  in  them  a  greater  degree  of  propriety,  spirit,  and 
grandeur.  Thus  in  that,  of  which  every  other  line  is,  For  his 
mercy  endureth  for  ever,  the  repetition  of  these  words  might  have 
had  an  excellent  effect,  when  sung  by  way  of  response  to  a  choir 
which  sung  the  other  line,  though  to  a  mere  reader  such  repetition 
may  appear  tedious.  Ps.  xxiv.,  cxxxv.,  cL,  and  others,  are  evi- 
dently adapted  to  the  same  mode  of  performance.  But  it  by 
no  means  follows  that  we  must  divide  the  Psalms  themselves 
into  choruses,  as  Nachtigall,  Kuinoel,  and  others  have  done 
in  their  translations ;  it  is  probable  that  tJio  chorus  simply  re- 


52  INTRODUCTION. 

pcated.*  But  even  were  this  not  the  case,  yet  this  division  is  a 
matter  of  too  much  uncertainty  to  be  safely  attempted.  It  is  very 
doubtful  whether  the  singing  was  alternate  or  responsive  in  all 
cases  where  there  is  a  change  of  the  person  speaking ;  for  the 
Orientals  are  extremely  fond  of  such  a  change  of  the  person 
speaking,  even  in  poems  which  are  not  sung,  f 

In  what  way  song  was  connected  with  the  dance  it  is  impossible 
to  determine.  Few  of  the  Psalms  which  we  now  possess  prob- 
ably ever  had  any  connection  with  the  dance.  Songs  like  that 
of  the  women  upon  David's  victory  were  performed  dancing ; 
it  could  hardly  be  the  case,  however,  that  the  two  performances 
were  so  connected  as  to  resemble  the  music  and  dance  of  modern 
times.  The  dance,  perhaps,  consisted  for  the  most  part  of  cer- 
tain figures,  which  were  executed  by  the  files  of  dancers,  chiefly 
in  circles,  as  the  Hebrew  name  SiriD  seems  to  indicate  ;  and  the 
step,  if  not  perfectly  artless,  was  free  and  without  rule.  %  In 
this  case,  the  dance  of  the  Hebrews  was  the  same  in  relation  to 
other  modes  of  dancing,  as  was  their  rhytlmi  compared  with  the 
rhythm  of  other  nations. 

The  l;isi  direction  in  regard  to  the  mode  of  using  the  Psalms 
may  be  given  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Hammond,  citing  the  opin- 
ion of  the  ancient  fathers. 

*'  Form  thy  spirit  by  the  affection  of  the  psalm,  saith  St.  Au- 
gustine. If  it  be  the  affection  of  love,  enkindle  that  within  thy 
breast,  that  thou  mayest  not  speak  against  thy  sense,  and  knowl- 
edge, and  conscience,  when  thou  sayest,  I  ivill  love  thee,  O  Lordj 
my  strength !    If  it  be  an  affection  of  fear,  impress  that  on  thy 


*  Such  is  the  present  custom  in  the  East.  The  chorus  repeats 
the  melody  in  a  lower  key.     See  Niebuhr's  Travels,  I.,  176. 

t   Comp.  Jahn,  Einleit.  ins  A.  T.,  II.,  723, 

\  Such  is  still  the  manner  of  the  female  dancers  of  the  East. 
One  of  tliem  takes  the  lead,  cxtcmjwrizing  the  steps  and  movement, 
which  the  otliera  imitate,  following  in  a  circle.  See  Niebuhr's 
Travels,  I.,  184;  Lady  Montague's  Letters,  Let.  30.  For  other 
authorities,  sec  Jahn's  Bibl.  Archaol.,  I.,  1,  405. 


INTRODUCTION.  53 

divine  poetry,  which  thou  chantest  out  to  others,  O,  consider  this, 
ye  that  forget  God,  lest  he  pluck  you  aivay,  and  there  le  none  to 
deliver  you.  If  it  be  an  affection  of  desire,  which  the  Psalmist  in 
a  holy  transportation  expresseth,  let  the  same  breathe  in  thee  ; 
accounting,  as  St.  Chrysostom  minds  thee  on  Psalm  xlii.,  that, 
when  thou  recitest  these  words,  Like  as  the  hart  desireth  the  loater- 
hrooJcs,  so  longeth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God !  thou  hast  sealed  a 
covenant,  betrothed  and  engaged  thy  soul  to  God,  and  must  never 
have  a  coldness  or  indifferency  to  him  hereafter.  If  it  be  the 
affection  of  gratitude,  let  thy  soul  be  lifted  up  in  praises,  come 
with  affections  this  way  inflamed,  sensible  of  the  weight  of  mer- 
cies of  all  kinds,  spiritual  and  temporal,  with  all  the  enhancements 
that  the  seasonable  application  thereof  to  the  extremities  of  thy 
wants  can  add  to  thy  preservations,  and  pardons,  and  joys  ;  or 
else  the  reciting  the  hallelujahs  vf'iW  be  a  most  ridiculous  piece 
of  pageantry.  And  so  likewise  for  the  petitory  part  of  the 
Psalms,  let  us  be  always  in  a  posture  ready  for  them,  with  our 
spirits  minutely  prepared  to  dart  them  up  to.  heaven.  And  what- 
ever the  affection  be,  let  the  heart  do  what  the  words  signify." 


The  translator  leaves  the  principles  and  views,  which  governed 
him  in  his  labors,  to  be  inferred  from  the  work  itself.  In  one 
particular,  however,  some  may  be  at  a  loss  to  know  the  reason 
for  the  translation  which  I  adopt.  I  refer  to  the  name  of  the 
Supreme  Being,  Jehovah.  As  it  is  a  proper  name,  and  not  a 
mere  appellative,  like  the  terms  God  and  Lord,  perhaps  the  strict 
rules  of  interpretation  require  that  it  should  be  always  translated  by 
the  same  term.  But  as  the  same  great  Being  is  denoted,  whether 
his  name  be  translated  the  Lord,  or  Jehovah,  I  have  thought  it 
best,  in  many  cases,  not  to  alter  the  name  to  which  the  feelings 
of  the  devout  have  been  so  long  accustomed.  The  word  Jehovah 
is  now  very  seldom  used  in  prayers,  and  of  course  cannot  have 
those  devout  feelings  connected  with  it  which  belong  to  appel- 
lations of  the  Supreme  Being  which  are  habitually  used.  It  may 
be  well  to  mention,  that,  in  all  the  other  books  of  the  Scriptures 
5* 


54  INTRODUCTION. 

which  I  have  translated,  I  have  in  every  instance  used  the  word 
Jehovah  where  the  corresponding  term  occurs  in  the  original. 

Ill  this  edition  I  have  carefully  revised  the  translation  by  a  new 
comparison  of  it  with  the  original,  and  by  the  aid  of  some  English 
and  German  versions,  which  I  had  not  seen  when  the  first  edition 
was  printed.  I  have  also  added  a  number  of  pages  to  the  Intro- 
duction, and  some  explanatory  notes,  which,  without  materially 
increasing  the  size  of  the  volume,  will  I  hope  add  to  its  value. 

Cambridge,  August  15,  1846. 


THE    PSALMS 


THE    PSALMS. 


BOOK    I 


PSALM  I. 

The  happiness  of  the  righteous  and  the  misery  of  the  wicked. 

1  Happy  the  man,  who  walketh  not  in  the  paths  of  the 

unrighteous, 
Nor  standeth  in  the  way  of  sinners. 
Nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  scoffers  ; 

2  But  whose  delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord, 
And  who  meditates  on  his  precepts  day  and  night. 

3  He  is  like  a  tree  planted  by  streams  of  water, 
That  bringetb  forth  its  fruit  in  its  season. 
Whose  leaves  also  do  not  wither ; 

All  that  he  doeth  shall  prosper. 

4  Not  so  the  unrighteous  ; 

They  are  like  chaff,  which  the  wind  drive th  away. 

5  Therefore  the  wicked  shall  not  stand  in  judgment, 
Nor  sinners  in  the  assembly  of  the  just. 

6  For  the  Lord  knoweth  the  way  of  the  righteous, 
But  the  way  of  the  wicked  Icadeth  to  ruin. 


58  THE  PSALMS.  [ii. 

PSALM  n. 

Vain  attempts  of  the  nations  against  the  king  anointed  by  God. 

1  Why  do  the  heathen  rage, 

And  the  nations  meditate  a  vain  thing  ? 

2  Why  do  the  kings  of  the  earth  rise  up, 
And  the  princes  combine  together, 

Against  Jehovah,  and  against  his  anointed  king  ? 

3  "  Let  us  break  their  bonds  asunder ; 
Let  us  cast  away  from  us  their  fetters  !  " 

4  He  that  sitteth  in  heaven  will  laugh  ; 
The  Lord  will  have  them  in  derision. 

5  Then  shall  he  speak  to  them  in  his  wrath. 
And  confound  them  in  his  hot  displeasure. 

6  "  I  myself  have  anointed  my  king, 
Upon  Zion,  my  holy  hill." 

7  I  will  declare  the  decree  of  Jehovah ; 

He  hath  said  to  me  :  —  "  Thou  art  my  son ; 

This  day  I  have  begotten  thee. 
s  Ask  of  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  the  nations  for  thine 
inheritance. 

And  the  ends  of  the  earth  for  thy  possession. 
9  Thou  shalt  break  them  with  a  rod  of  iron ; 

Thou  shalt  dash  them  in  pieces  like  a  potter's  vessel." 

10  Be  wise,  therefore,  O  ye  kings  ! 

Be  admonished,  ye  rulers  of  the  earth ! 

11  Be  subject  to  Jehovah  with  awe. 
And  fear  before  him  with  tremblinc ! 


III.]  THE   PSALMS.  59 

12  Kiss  the  son,  lest  he  be  angry,  and  ye  perish  in  your  way  ; 
For  soon  shall  his  wrath  be  kindled  ! 
Happy  are  all  they  who  seek  refuge  in  him  ! 


PSALM  in. 

Trust  in  God  in  a  time  of  distress. 
A  psalm  of  David^  when  he  fled  from  his  son  Absalom. 

1  How  many,  O  Lord,  are  mine  enemies ! 
How  many  are  they  who  rise  up  against  me  ! 

2  How  many  are  they  who  say  of  me, 

"  There  is  no  help  for  him  with  God  !  " 

3  But  thou,  O  Lord,  art  my  shield. 

My  glory,  and  the  lifter  up  of  my  head. 

4  I  call  upon  the  Lord  with  my  voice, 
And  he  heareth  me  from  his  holy  hill. 

5  I  lay  me  down  and  sleep ; 

I  awake,  for  Jehovah  sustaineth  me. 

6  I  will  not  fear  the  ten  thousands  of  people 
Who  on  every  side  set  themselves  against  me. 

7  Arise,  O  Lord  !  Save  me,  O  my  God  ! 

For  thou  smitest  the  cheek  of  all  my  enemies ; 
Thou  breakest  the  teeth  of  the  wicked. 

8  Deliverance  cometh  from  the  Lord ; 
May  thy  blessing  be  with  thy  people  ! 


(30  THE   PSALMS.  [iv. 


PSALM   IV. 

A  prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies  ;  with  a  remonstrance  to  them,  and 
expressions  of  confidence  in  divine  aid.  It  may,  with  the  last  psalm, 
have  been  occasioned  by  the  rebellion  of  Absalom.  But  it  is  rather  re- 
markable that  there  is  no  particular  allusion  to  the  affecting  circum- 
stance of  David's  own  son  being  at  the  head  of  it. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music  ;  to  he  accompanied  icith  stringed  instru- 
ments.    A  psalm  of  David. 

1      Hear  me,  when  I  call,  O  God  of  my  righteousness  ! 
Thou  hast  helped  me,  when  I  was  in  trouble,  — 
Have  pity  upon  me,  and  hear  my  prayer ! 


2  How  long,  O  men,  will  ye  dishonor  my  dignity  } 
How  long  will  ye  love  vanity,  and  seek  disappointment  ? 

3  Know  ye  that  the  Lord  hath  exalted  one  that  is  devoted 

to  him  ; 
The  Lord  will  hear,  when  I  call  upon  him. 

4  Stand  in  awe,  and  sin  no  more  ! 

Commune  with  your  hearts  upon  your  beds,  and  desist ! 
6  Offer  righteous  sacrifices. 
And  put  your  trust  in  the  Lord  ! 


6  There   arc   many  who  say,    Who  will  show  us  any 

good  ? 
Lord,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  us  ! 

7  Thou  puttest  gladness  into  my  heart, 

Greater  than  theirs,  when  their  corn  and  wine  arc  abun- 
dant. 

8  I  will  lay  me  down  in  peace,  and  sleep  ; 

For  thou  alone,  O  Lord,  makest  me  dwell  in  safety. 


v.]  "  THE   PSALMS.  61 


PSALM   V. 

Prayer  of  a  pious  man  for  aid  against  impious,  deceitful,  and  sanguinary 
enemies.  It  may  be  referred  to  the  rebellion  of  Absalom,  or  to  the  per- 
secution of  David  in  the  court  of  Saul. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music  ;  to  he  accompanied  with  wind  instru- 
ments.    A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Give  ear  to  my  words,  O  Lord  ! 
Have  regard  to  my  cry ! 

2  Listen  to  the  voice  of  my  supplication,  my  King  and  my 

God! 
For  to  thee  do  I  address  my  prayer. 

3  In  the  morning  shalt  thou  hear  my  voice,  O  Lord  ! 

In  the  morning  will  I  direct  my  prayer  to  thee,  and  look 
for  help. 

4  For  thou  art  not  a  God  that  hath  pleasure  in  wickedness ; 
The  unrighteous  man  dwclleth  not  with  thee. 

5  The  haughty  shall  not  stand  in  thy  sight ; 
Thou  hatest  all  that  do  iniquity. 

6  Thou  destroyest  them  that  speak  falsehood  ; 
The  man  of  blood  and  deceit  Jehovah  abhorreth. 

7  But   I,  through   thy  great   goodness,  will   come   to   thy 

house  ; 
In  thy  fear  will  I  worship  at  thy  holy  temple. 

8  Lead  me,  O   Lord,  in  thy  righteousness,  because  of 

mine  enemies ; 
Make  thy  path  straight  before  my  face  ! 

9  For  in  their  mouth  there  is  no  truth ; 
Their  heart  is  all  malignity  ; 

Their  throat  is  an  open  sepulchre  ;  ' 

They  flatter  with  their  tongue. 
6 


g2  THE   PSALMS.  [vr. 

10  Requite  them,  O  God  ! 

Let  them  be  confounded  in  their  devices ! 

Cast  them  out  for  the  multitude  of  their  transgressions  ; 

For  against  thee  have  they  rebelled  ! 

11  But  let  all,  that  put  their  trust  in  thee,  rejoice ; 

Let  them  ever  shout  for  joy,  because  thou  defendest 

them  ; 
Let  them,  that  love  thy  name,  be  joyful  in  thee ! 

12  For  thou,  O  Lord,  dost  bless  the  righteous  ; 

With  favor  dost  thou  encompass  him,  as  with  a  shield. 


PSALM  VL 

A  prayer  of  one  in  great  distress. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music  ;  to  he  accompanied  with  stringed  instru- 
ments;  to  the  octave.     Jl  psalm  of  David. 

1  O  Lord,  rebuke  me  not  in  thine  anger ; 
Chasten  me  not  in  thy  hot  displeasure ! 

2  Have  pity  upon  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  weak ! 
Heal  me,  O  Lord,  for  my  bones  tremble ! 

3  My  soul,  also,  is  sore  troubled ; 
And  thou,  O  Lord,  how  long 

4  Return,  O  Lord,  and  deliver  me ; 

O  save  me  according  to  thy  mercy ! 

5  For  in  death  no  praise  is  given  to  thee; 

In  the  underworld  who  can  give  thee  thanks  ? 
c  I  am  weary  with  groaning ; 
All  the  night  I  make  my  bed  to  swim. 
And  drench  my  couch  with  my  tears. 


VII.]  THE  PSALMS.  63 

7  Mine  eye  is  wasted  with  grief ; 

It  hath  become  old  because  of  all  my  enemies. 

8  Depart  from  me,  all  ye  that  do  iniquity  ;  v"^ 
For  the  Lord  heareth  the  voice  of  my  weeping. 

9  The  Lord  heareth  my  supplication ; 
The  Lord  accepteth  my  prayer. 

10  All   my  enemies  shall    be   ashamed  and   utterly  con- 
founded ; 
They  shall  be  turned  back  and  put  to  shame  suddenly. 


PSALM  VII. 

Prayer  against  an  enemy,  or,  perhaps,  against  enemies  in  general. 

A  psalm  of  David^  wJiich  he  sang  to  Jehovah^  on  account  of  the  re- 
proaches of  Cush  the  Benjamite. 

1  O  Jehovah,  my  God,  to  thee  do  I  look  for  help ! 
Save  me  from  them  that  persecute  me,  and  deliver  me ! 

2  Lest  mine  enemy  tear  me  hke  a  lion ; 

Lest  he  rend  me  in  pieces,  while  there  is  none  to  help. 

3  O  Jehovah,  my  God  !  If  I  have  done  this, — 
If  there  be  iniquity  upon  my  hands, 

4  If  I  have  rendered  evil  to  my  friend, 

Or  have  despoiled  him  that  without  cause  is  mine  en- 
emy,— 

5  Let  my  adversary  pursue  and  take  me  ; 
Let  him  trample  me  to  the  ground. 
And  lay  me  prostrate  in  the  dust ! 


64  THE   PSALMS.  [yn. 

6  Arise,  O  Lord,  in  thine  anger ; 

Lift  thyself  up  against  the  rage  of  mine  enemies  ; 
Awake  for  me  !     Ordain  judgment ! 

7  Let  the  assembly  of  the  nations  compass  thee  about, 
And  on  their  account  ascend  thy  throne  ! 

8  The  Lord  judge th  the  nations  ; 

Judge  me,  O  Lord,  according  to  my  righteousness, 
And.  requite  me  according  to  my  integrity  ! 

9  O  let  the  wickedness  of  the  wicked  be  at  an  end  ; 
But  establish  the  righteous  ! 

For   thou,  O   God  of  justice,  tricst   the   heart  and   the 
reins ! 

10  My  shield  is  with  God, 

Who  saveth  the  upright  in  heart. 

11  God  is  a  righteous  judge  ; 

And  God  is  ever  angry  with  the  wicked. 

12  If  he  do  not  desist.  He  sharpeneth  his  sword  ; 
He  bendeth  his  bow,  and  maketh  it  ready  ; 

13  He  prepareth  for  him  the  instruments  of  death  ; 
He  shooteth  his  burninir  arrows. 

14"     Behold,  he  travailed  with  iniquity, 

And  conceived  mischief, 

But  hath  brought  forth  disappointment ! 
15  He  made  a  pit  and  digged  it, 

And  is  fallen  into  the  ditch  which  he  made. 
IG  His  mischief  returncth  upon  his  own  head. 

And  his  violence  cometh  down  upon  his  own  pate. 
17  I  will  praise  the  Lord  according  to  his  righteousness  ; 

I  will  sing  praise  to  the  name  of  the  Lord  most  high. 


VIII.]  THE   PSALMS.  65 

PSALM  VIII. 

The  greatness  of  the  Creator,  and  his  goodness  to  man. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music  ;  to  he  accompanied  with  the  gittith.     A 
psalm  of  David. 

1  O  Jehovah,  our  Lord, 

How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth ! 
Thou  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the  heavens  ! 

2  Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  hast  thou  or- 

dained praise  ; 
To  put  thine  adversaries  to  shame, 
And  to  silence  the  enemy  and  avenger. 

3  When  I  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers, 
The  moon  and  the  stars  which  thou  hast  ordained  ; 

4  What  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him. 
And  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  carest  for  him  ! 

5  Yet  thou  hast  made  him  little  lower  than  God  ; 
Thou  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor. 

6  Thou  hast   given  him  dominion  over  the  works  of  thy 

hands ; 
Thou  hast  put  all  things  under  his  feet ; 

7  All  sheep  and  oxen. 

Yea,  and  the  beasts  of  the  forest ; 
S  The  birds  of  the  air,  and  the  fishes  of  the  sea. 

And  whatever  passeth  through  the  paths  of  the  deep. 
9  O  Jehovah,  our  Lord, 

How  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth ! 


66  THE   PSALMS.  [ix. 


PSALM    IX. 

A  thanksgiving  ode  for  victory  and  deliverance  from  enemies  5  with  prayers 
for  future  help.  Supposed  to  have  been  composed  after  the  wars  men- 
tioned in  2  Samuel,  ch.  viii. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music ;  to  be  sung  in  the  manner  or  loith  the 
voice  of  virgins.    To  the  Benites.   A  psalm  of  David. 

1  I  WILL  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  with  my  whole  heart ; 
I  will  show  forth  all  thy  marvellous  works. 

2  I  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thee  ; 

I  will  sing  praise  to  thy  name,  O  thou  Most  High  ! 

3  All  my  enemies  are  turned  back  ; 
They  fall  and  perish  at  thy  presence  ! 

4  For  thou  dost  defend  my  right  and  my  cause  ; 
Thou  sittest  upon  the  throne,  a  righteous  judge. 

5  Thou  rebukest  the  nations  ; 
Thou  dcstroyest  the  wicked  ; 

Thou  blottest  out  their  name  for  evermore  ! 

6  The  enemy  is  fallen, — a  desolation  for  ever! 
Thou,  O  Lord,  hast  destroyed  their  cities  ! 
Their  memory  itself  has  perished  ! 

7  The  Lord  reigncth  for  ever  ; 

He  hath  prepared  his  throne  for  judgment. 

8  He  judgeth  the  world  in  righteousness  ; 

He  administcreth  judgment  to  the  nations  with  uprightness. 

9  Yea,  the  Lord  is  the  refuge  of  the  oppressed  ; 
A  refuge  in  times  of  trouble. 

10  Tlicy,  who  know  thy  name,  put  their  trust  in  thee  ; 
For  thou,  O  Lord,  forsakest  not  them  that  seek  thee  ! 

11  Sing  praises  to  the  Lord,  who  reigneth  in  Zion  ; 
Declare  his  doings  among  the  people ! 


X.]  THE   PSALMS.  67 

12  As  the  avenger  of  blood,  he  remembereth  the  distressed  ; 
He  forgetteth  not  their  complaint. 

13  "  Have  pity  upon  me,  [said  I,  ]  O  Lord  ! 

Look  upon  my  affliction  through  them  that  hate  me  ; 
Lift  me  up  from  the  gates  of  death  ! 

14  That  I  may  show  forth  all  thy  praise  in  the  gates  of  the 

daughter  of  Zion ; 
That  I  may  rejoice  in  salvation  by  thee." 

15  The  nations  have  sunk  into  the  pit  which  they  made  ; 
In  the  net,  which  they  hid,  is  their  own  foot  taken. 

16  Thus  it  is  known  that  the  Lord  executeth  judgment ; 
The  wicked   are   ensnared   in   the   work   of  their  own 

hands. 

17  The  wicked  shall  be  driven  into  the  underworld ; 
Yea,  all  the  nations  that  forget  God. 

IS  For  the  poor  shall  not  always  be  forgotten ; 

The  hopes  of  the  afflicted  shall  not  perish  for  ever. 

19  Arise,  O  Lord  !     Let  not  man  prevail ; 
Let  the  nations  be  judged  by  thee  ! 

20  Strike  terror  into  them,  O  Lord  ! 

Let  the  nations  know  that  they  are  but  men  ! 


PSALM  X. 

A  prayer  against  impious,  deceitful,  and  blood-thirsty  foreign  enemies. 

1  Why  standest  thou  afar  off,  O  Lord  > 
Why  hidest  thou  thyself  in  times  of  trouble  ? 

2  Through  the  haughtiness  of  the  wicked  the  poor  are  in 

distress  ; 


68  THE   PSALMS.  [x. 

They  arc  caught   in  the  wiles  which  are  contrived  for 
them. 

3  The  wicked  boasteth  of  his  heart's  desire  ; 

The  rapacious  renounceth  and  contemneth  the  Lord. 

4  The  wicked  [saith]  in  his  haughtiness,  "  He  careth  not!" 
All  his  thoughts  are,  "  There  is  no  God." 

5  His  course  is  always  prosperous  ; 
Thy  judgments  are  far  from  him  ; 

As  for  all  his  enemies,  he  puffeth  at  them. 

6  He  saith  in  his  heart,  "  I  shall  never  fall ; 
"  I  shall  never  be  in  adversity." 

7  His  mouth  is  full  of  perjury,  deceit,  and  oppression  ; 
Mischief  and  injustice  are  upon  his  tongue. 

8  He  sitteth  in  the  lurking-places  of  the  villages  ; 
In  secret  places  doth  he  murder  the  innocent ; 
His  eyes  are  secretly  fixed  upon  the  poor. 

9  He  secretly  lieth  in  wait,  like  a  lion  in  a  thicket ; 
He  lieth  in  wait  to  seize  upon  the  helpless  ; 

He  catcheth  the  poor,  drawing  him  into  his  net. 

10  He  croucheth,  and  lowereth  himself. 
And  the  wretched  fall  into  his  paws. 

11  He  saith  in  his  heart,  "  God  doth  forget ; 
He  hideth  his  face  ;  he  doth  never  see  it." 

12  Arise,  O  Lord  !     0  God,  lift  up  thine  hand  ! 
Forget  not  the  distressed  ! 

13  Wherefore  doth  the  wicked  contemn  God, 
And  say  in  his  heart,  "  He  careth  not  for  it "  ? 

(   14  Thou  dost  see  it !  yea,  thou  beholdest  malice  and  oppression, 
And  markest  it  upon  thy  hand  ! 
The  poor  committcth  himself  to  thee ; 
Thou  art  the  helper  of  the  fatherless. 
15  Break  thou  the  arm  of  the  unjust  and  wicked  man  ; 
Seek  out  his  wickedness,  till  thou  canst  find  none  ! 


XI.]  THE   PSALMS.  69 

16  The  Lord  is  king  for  ever  ; 

The  gentiles  shall  perish  out  of  his  land. 

17  Thou,  O  Lord,  wilt  hear  the  desires  of  the  distressed  ; 
Thou  wilt  strengthen  their  hearts  ; 

Thou  wilt  lend  a  listening  ear ! 
IS  Thou  wilt  maintain  the  cause  of  the  fatherless  and  the 
oppressed, 
That  henceforth  none  may  be  driven  from  the  land  ! 


PSALM  XI. 

An  expression  of  trust  in  God,  as  a  security  from  the  plots  and  assaults  of 
enemies.' 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  In  the  Lord  do  I  put  my  trust.     Why  say  ye  to  me, 
"  Flee,  like  a  bird,  to  your  mountain  ? 

2  For,  lo,  the  wicked  bend  their  bow  ; 

They  make  ready  their  arrows  on  the  string, 
To  shoot  in  secret  at  the  upright  in  heart. 

3  If  the  pillars  be  broken  down. 
What  can  the  righteous  do  .^  " 

4  The  Lord  is  in  his  holy  palace  ; 
The  Lord's  throne  is  in  heaven  ; 

His  eyes  behold,  his  eyehds  prove  the  children  of  men. 

5  The  Lord  trieth  the  righteous ; 

But  the  wicked,  and  the  lover  of  violence,  his  soul  hateth. 

6  Upon  the  wicked  he  will  rain  lightning ; 

Fire  and  brimstone  and  a  burning  wind  shall  be  the  por- 
tion of  their  cup. 

7  For  the  Lord  is  righteous ;  he  loveth  righteousness  ; 
The  upright  shall  see  his  face. 


70  THE   PSALMS.  [xii. 

PSALM  XII. 

A  prayer  for  protection  against  calumniating  foes. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music  ;  to  the  octave.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Help,  Lord,  for  the  good  man  ceaseth  ; 
The  faithful  are  failing  among  men. 

2  They  speak  falsehood  one  to  another  ; 

With  flattering  lips,  with  a  double  heart,  do  they  speak. 

3  May  the  Lord  destroy  all  flattering  lips, 
And  the  tongue  which  speaketh  proud  things  ! 

4  Who  say,  "  With  our  tongues  will  we  prevail ; 
Our  lips  are  our  reliance  ; 

Who  is  lord  over  us  ?  " 

5  For  the  oppression  of  the  poor  and  the  sighing  of  the 

wretched, 
Now  will  I  stand  up,  saith  the  Lord  ; 
I  will  set  in  safety  him  whom  they  puff  at. 

6  The  words  of  the  Lord  are  pure  ; 

Like  silver  purified  from  earth  in  a  furnace, 
Seven  times  refined. 

7  Thou,  O  Lord,  wilt  watch  over  them  ; 

Thou  wilt  preserve  them  from  this  generation  for  ever. 

8  The  wicked  walk  on  every  side. 
When  the  vilest  of  men  are  exalted. 


XIII.,  XIV.]  THE  PSALMS.  71 

PSALM   XIII. 

Supplication  for  deliverance  from  enemies,  and  confidence  of  obtaining  it. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  utterly  forget  me  ? 
How  long  wilt  thou  hide  thy  face  from  me  ? 

2  How  long  shall  I  have  anxiety  in  my  soul, 
And  sorrow  in  my  heart  all  the  day  ? 

How  long  shall  my  enemy  be  exalted  over  me  ? 

3  Look  down  and  hear  me,  O  Lord,  my  God ! 
Enlighten  my  eyes,  lest  I  sleep  the  sleep  of  death ! 

4  Lest  my  enemy  say,  "  I  have  prevailed  against  him  !  " 
Lest  my  adversaries  rejoice,  when  I  am  fallen. 

5  Yet  will  I  trust  in  thy  goodness  ; 
My  heart  shall  rejoice  in  thy  salvation  ; 

6  I  will  sing  to  the  Lord,  that  he  hath  dealt  kindly  with  me. 


PSALM  XIV. 

The  complaint  of  a  pious  man  in  exile  concerning  the  wickedness  of  men, 
and  supplication  for  the  restoration  of  the  Israelites  from  captivity. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     Ji  psalm  of  David. 

1      The  fool  saith  in  his  heart,  "  There  is  no  God." 
They  are  corrupt ;  their  doings  are  abominable  ; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good. 
'  2  The  Lord  looketh  down  from  heaven  upon  the  children 
of  men. 
To  see  if  there  are  any  that  have  understanding. 
That  have  regard  to  God. 


72  THE   PSALMS.  [xv. 

3  They  are  all  gone  out  of  the  way ;  they  are  every  one 

corrupt ; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good  ;  no,  not  one. 

4  Shall  not  the  evil-doers  be  requited, 
Who  devour  my  people  like  bread, 
And  call  not  upon  the  Lord  ? 

5  Yea,  then  shall  they  be  in  great  fear ; 

For  the  Lord  is  with  the  race  of  the  righteous. 

6  Ye  deride  the  conduct  of  the  poor  ; 
But  the  Lord  is  their  refuge. 

7  O  that  salvation  for  Israel  would  come  out  of  Zion  ! 
When  the  Lord  bringeth  back  the  captives  of  his  people, 
Then  shall  Jacob  rejoice,  and  Israel  be  glad. 


PSALM  XV. 

The  qualifications  of  an  acceptable  worshipper.  This  psalm  may  have 
been  composed  when  David  removed  the  ark  to  the  tabernacle  on  Mount 
Zion  J  2  Sam.  ch.  vi. 

v3  psalm  of  David. 

1  Lord,  who  shall  abide  at  thy  tabernacle, 

Who  shall  dwell  upon  thy  holy  hill  ? 

2  He  that  walketh  uprightly,  and  doeth  righteousness. 
And  speakelh  the  truth  from  his  heart ; 

3  He  that  slandereth  not  with  his  tongue, 
That  doeth  no  injury  to  his  neighbour. 

And  uttcreth  no  reproach  against  his  neighbour ; 


XVI.]  THE    PSALMS.  73 

4  In  whose  eyes  a  vile  person  is  contemned ; 
But  who  honoreth  them  that  fear  the  Lord ; 

Who  sweareth  to  his  neighbour,  and  changeth  not ; 

5  He  that  lendeth  not  his  money  for  interest, 
And  taketh  not  a  bribe  against  the  innocent : 
He  that  doeth  these  things  shall  never  fall. 


PSALM  XVI. 

The  person  who  is  the  subject  of  this  psalm  expresses  his  entire  depend- 
ence upon  God,  his  gratitude  for  divine  goodness,  his  satisfaction  with 
the  condition  assigned  him,  and  his  firm  hopes  of  future  protection  and 
favor. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Preserve  me,  O  God,  for  to  thee  do  I  look  for  help  ! 

2  I  have  said  to  Jehovah,  Thou  art  my  Lord ; 
I  have  no  happiness  beyond  thee  ! 

3  The  holy  that  are  in  the  land,  and  the  excellent, 
In  them  is  all  my  delight. 

4  They  who  hasten  after  other  gods  shall  have  multiplied 

sorrows ; 
Their  drink-offerings  of  blood  I  will  not  offer, 
Nor  will  I  take  their  names  upon  my  lips. 

5  Jehovah  is  my  portion  and  my  cup  ; 
Thou  wilt  maintain  my  lot ! 

6  My  portion  hath  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant  places  ; 
Yea,  I  have  a  goodly  inheritance. 

7  I  will  bless  the  Lord,  who  careth  for  me  ; 
Yea,  in  the  night  my  heart  admonisheth  me. 

8  I  set  the  Lord  before  me  at  all  times  ; 
Since  he  is  at  my  right  hand,  I  shall  not  fall. 

7 


74  THE   PSALMS.  [xvii. 

9  Therefore  my  heart  is  glad,  and  my  spirit  rejoiceth  ; 
Yea,  my  flesh  dwelleth  in  security. 

10  For  thou  wilt  not  give  me  up  to  the  underworld  ; 
Nor  wilt  thou  suffer  thy  holy  one  to  see  the  pit. 

11  Thou  wilt  show  me  the  path  of  life  ; 
In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy  ; 

At  thy  right  hand  are  pleasures  for  evermore. 


PSALM  XVII. 

A  prayer  for  help  against  impious  enemies  ;  together  with  expressions  of 
confidence  in  the  favor  of  God. 

w5  psalm  of  David. 

1  Heau  the  righteous  cause,  O  Lord, 
Attend  to  my  cry  ; 

Give  ear  to  my  prayer  from  lips  without  deceit ! 

2  May  my  sentence  come  forth  from  thy  presence  ; 
May  thine  eyes  behold  uprightness ! 

3  Prove  my  heart ;  visit  me  in  the  night ; 

Try  me  like  gold,  and  thou  shalt  find  nothing! 

4  My  thoughts  do  not  vary  from  my  lips. 
As  to  the  deeds  of  men. 

Through  the  word  of  thy  lips  I  have  kept  me  from  the 
paths  of  the  destroyer. 

5  Support  my  steps  in  thy  paths. 
That  my  feet  may  not  slip  ! 

6  I  call  upon  thee,  0  God,  for  thou  wilt  hear  me  ! 
Incline  thine  car  to  me,  and  listen  to  my  prayer  ! 

7  Show  forth  thy  loving-kindness,  O  thou  that  savest  by  thy 

right  hand 
Them  that  seek  refufire  in  thee  from  their  adversaries ! 


XVIII.]  THE    PSALMS.  75 

8  Guard  me  as  the  apple  of  the  eye  ; 
Hide  me  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wings 

9  From  the  wicked  who  assault  me, 

From  my  deadly  enemies  who  compass  me  about ! 

10  They  shut  up  their  hard  heart ; 

With  their  mouth  they  speak  haughtily. 

11  They  encompass  us  in  all  our  steps  ; 

They  fix  their  eyes  upon  us,  that  they  may  cast  us  on 
the  ground. 

12  They  are  like  a  lion,  eager  for  his  prey  ; 
Like  a  young  lion,  lurking  in  secret  places. 

13  Arise,  O  Lord,  disappoint  them,  cast  them  down  ! 
Deliver  me  from  the  wicked  by  thy  sword, 

14  From  men,  by  thy  hand,  O  Lord,  from  men  of  the  world, 
Whose    portion  is  in   life ;  whom  thou  loadest  with  thy 

treasure  ; 
Whose  children  have  enough,  and  leave  their  superfluity 
to  their  posterity. 

15  But  I  through  righteousness  shall  see  thy  face  ; 

I  shall  be  satisfied  with  the  revival  of  thy  countenance. 


PSALM  XVIIL 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.  Jl  psalm  of  Davidy  the  servant  of  the 
Lord,  icho  spake  to  the  Lord  the  words  of  this  song,  in  the  day  that 
the  Lord  delivered  him  from  the  hand  of  all  his  enemies^  and  from 
the  hand  of  Saul :  And  he  said,  — 

1  I  LOVE  thee,  O  Jehovah,  my  strength  ! 

2  Jehovah  is  my  rock,  my  fortress,  and  my  deliverer ; 
My  God,  my  strength,  in  whom  I  trust ; 

My  shield,  my  strong  defence,  and  my  high  tower. 


76  THE   PSALMS.  [xviii. 

3  I  called  upon  the  Lord,  who  is  worthy  to  be  praised, 
And  was  delivered  from  my  enemies. 

4  The  snares  of  death  encompassed  me  ; 

The  floods  of  destruction  filled  me  with  dismay  ; 

5  The  snares  of  the  underworld  surrounded  me, 
And  the  nets  of  death  seized  upon  me. 

6  In  my  distress  I  called  upon  the  Lord, 
And  cried  unto  my  God  ; 

He  heard  my  voice  from  his  palace, 

And  my  cry  came  before  him  into  his  ears. 

7  Then  the  earth  quaked  and  trembled  ; 

The  foundations  of  the  mountains  rocked  and  were  shaken, 
Because  his  wrath  was  kindled. 

8  A  smoke  went  up  from  his  nostrils. 
And  fire  from  his  mouth  devoured ; 
Burning  coals  shot  forth  from  him. 

9  He  bowed  the  heavens,  and  came  down  ; 
And  darkness  was  under  his  feet ; 

10  And  he  rode  upon  a  cherub,  and  did  fly ; 
Yea,  he  did  fly  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

11  And  he  made  darkness  his  covering  ; 

His  pavilion  round  about  him  was  dark  waters  and  thick 
clouds  of  the  skies. 

12  At  the  brightness  before  him,  his  thick  clouds  passed  away ; 
Then  came  hailstones  and  coals  of  fire. 

13  The  Lord  also  thundered  from  heaven, 
And  the  Most  High  uttered  his  voice. 
Amid  hailstones  and  coals  of  fire. 

14  He  sent  forth  his  arrows,  and  scattered  them ; 
Continual  lightnings,  and  discomfited  them. 

15  Then  the  channels  of  the  deep  were  seen, 
And  the  foundations  of  the  earth  were  laid  bare 
At  thy  rebuke,  O  Lord, 

At  the  blast  of  the  breath  of  thy  nostrils  ! 


XVIII.]  THE   PSALMS.  77 

16  He  stretched  forth  his  hand  from  above  ;  he  took  me, 
And  drew  me  out  of  deep  waters. 

17  He  deHvered  me  from  my  strong  enemy ; 

From  my  adversaries,  who  were  too  powerful  for  me. 

18  They  fell  upon  me  in  the  day  of  my  calamity. 
But  the  Lord  was  my  stay. 

19  He  brought  me  forth  into  a  lai'ge  place  ; 

He  delivered  me,  because  he  delighted  in  me. 

20  The  Lord  hath  rewarded  me  according  to  my  righteousness; 
According  to  the  cleanness  of  my  hands  hath  he  recom- 
pensed me. 

21  For  I  have  kept  the  ways  of  the  Lord, 

And  have  not  wickedly  departed  from  my  God. 

22  For  all  his  laws  were  in  my  sight ; 

I  did  not  put  away  his  statutes  from  me. 

23  I  was  upright  before  him, 
And  kept  myself  from  iniquity. 

24  Therefore  hath  the  Lord  rewarded  me  according  to  my 

righteousness. 
According  to  the  cleanness  of  my  hands  before  his  eyes. 

25  To  the  merciful  thou  showest  thyself  merciful ; 
To  the  upright  thou  showest  thyself  upright ; 

26  To  the  pure  thou  showest  thyself  pure, 

And  to  the  perverse  thou  showest  thyself  perverse. 

27  For  thou  savest  the  afflicted  people. 

But  the  haughty  countenance  thou  bringest  down. 

28  Thou  causest  my  lamp  to  shine  ; 
Jehovah,  my  God,  enlighteneth  my  darkness. 

29  For  through  thee  I  have  broken  through  troops ; 
Through  my  God  I  have  leaped  over  walls. 

30  The  ways  of  God  are  just  and  true ; 
His  word  is  pure,  tried  in  the  fire ; 

And  come  trembling  from  their  strongholds. 
7* 


78  THE   PSALMS.  [xviii. 

He  is  a  shield  to  all  who  put  their  trust  in  him. 

31  Who,  then,  is  God,  save  Jehovah  > 
And  who  is  a  rock,  save  our  God  ? 

32  It  is  God  that  girded  me  with  strength, 
And  made  my  way  plain. 

33  He  made  my  feet  like  the  hind's, 
And  set  me  in  my  high  places ; 

34  He  taught  my  hands  to  war, 

So  that  my  arm  bent  the  bow  of  brass. 

35  Thou  gavest  me  the  shield  of  thy  protection ; 
Thy  right  hand  held  me  up, 

And  thy  goodness  made  me  great. 

36  Thou  didst  make  a  wide  path  for  my  steps. 
So  that  my  feet  did  not  stumble. 

37  I  pursued  my  enemies,  and  overtook  them. 
And  turned  not  back  till  I  had  destroyed  them. 

38  I  smote  them,  so  that  they  could  not  rise  ; 
They  fell  under  my  feet. 

39  Thou  didst  gird  me  with  strength  for  the  battle ; 
Thou  didst  cast  down  my  adversaries  under  me. 

40  Thou  didst  cause  my  enemies  to  turn  their  backs. 
So  that  I  destroyed  them  that  hated  me. 

41  They  cried,  but  there  was  none  to  help  ; 
To  Jehovah,  but  he  answered  them  not. 

42  I  beat  them  small,  like  dust  before  the  wind  ; 
I  cast  them  out  as  the  dirt  of  the  streets. 

43  Thou  hast  delivered  me  from  the  assaults  of  the  nations ; 
Thou  hast  made  me  the  head  of  the  kingdoms. 
Nations  whom  I  knew  not  serve  me  ; 

44  They  who  have  only  heard  of  me  obey  me. 

Yea,  men  of  a  strange  land  submit  themselves  to  me ; 

45  Men  of  a  strange  land  fade  away,  like  a  leaf. 


XIX.]  THE   PSALMS.  79 

46  Jehovah  is  the  living  God  ;  blessed  be  my  rock  ; 
Exalted  be  the  God  of  my  salvation ! 

47  It  is  God  who  hath  given  me  vengeance, 
And  subdued  the  nations  under  me  ; 

48  He  delivered  me  from  my  enemies ; 

Yea,  thou  hast  lifted  me  up  above  mine  adversaries ; 
Thou  hast  saved  me  from  the  violent  man ! 

49  Therefore  I  will  give  thanks  to  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the 

nations, 
And  sing  praises  to  thy  name ! 

50  Great  deliverance  giveth  he  to  his  king. 
And  showeth  mercy  to  his  anointed, 
To  David  and  to  his  race  for  ever. 


PSALM   XIX. 

The  glory  of  God  manifested  in  the  material  creation,  and  in  the  law  given 
to  man.     Prayer  for  forgiveness  and  deliverance  from  temptation. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God  ; 

The  firmament  showeth  forth  the  work  of  his  hands. 

2  Day  uttereth  instruction  unto  day. 

And  night  showeth  knowledge  unto  night. 

3  They  have  no  speech,  nor  language. 
And  their  voice  is  not  heard  ; 

4  Yet  their  sound  goeth  forth  to  all  the  earth. 
And  their  words  to  the  ends  of  the  world. 


In  them  hath  he  set  a  tabernacle  for  the  sun, 
5  Which  cometh  forth  like  a  bridegroom  from  his  chamber, 
And  rejoiceth,  like  a  strong  man,  to  run  his  course. 


80  THE   PSALMS.  [xix. 

6  He  goeth  forth  from  the  extremity  of  heaven, 
And  maketh  his  circuit  to  the  end  of  it ; 
And  nothing  is  hid  from  his  heat. 

7  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  reviving  the  soul ; 
The  precepts  of  the  Lord  are  sure,  making  wise  the  simple ; 

8  The  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart ; 
The  commandments  of  the  Lord  are  pure,  enlightening 

the  eyes ; 

9  The  service  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever ; 
The  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous  al- 
together. 

10  More  precious  are  they  than  gold ;  yea,  than  much  fine  gold ; 
Sweeter  than  honey,  and  the  honeycomb. 

11  By  them  also  is  thy  servant  warned. 

And  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward. 

12  Who  knoweth  his  own  offences  ? 

0  cleanse  thou  me  from  secret  faults ! 

13  Keep  back  also  thy  servant  from  presumptuous  sins ; 
Let  them  not  have  dominion  over  me  ! 

Then  shall  I  be  upright ; 

1  shall  not  be  polluted  with  gross  transgression. 

14  May  the  words  of  my  mouth  and  the  meditation  of  my  heart 
Be  acceptable  in  thy  sight, 

O  Lord,  my  strength  and  my  redeemer  ! 


XX.]  ^     THE   PSALMS.  81 


PSALM   XX 

Prayer  of  a  people  for  their  king  going  to  war.   It  may  have  been  composed 
when  David  was  going  to  war  with  the  Syrians.    2  Sam.  ch.  viii.-x. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  May  the  Lord  hear  thee  in  the  day  of  trouble  ; 
May  the  name  of  the  God  of  Jacob  defend  thee  ! 

2  May  he  send  thee  help  from  his  sanctuary, 
And  strengthen  thee  out  of  Zion  ! 

3  May  he  have  regard  to  all  thine  offerings, 
And  accept  thy  burnt  sacrifice  ! 

4  May  he  grant  thee  thy  heart's  desire. 
And  fulfil  all  thy  purposes  ! 

5  We  will  rejoice  in  thy  protection ; 

We  will  triumph  in  the  name  of  our  God, 
When  the  Lord  hath  fulfilled  all  thy  petitions. 

6  Now  I  know  that  the  Lord  helpeth  his  anointed. 
That  he  heareth  him  from  his  holy  heaven, 

And  aideth  him  with  the  saving  strength  of  his  right  hand. 

7  Some  glory  in  chariots,  and  some  in  horses. 
But  we  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  our  God. 

8  They  stumble  and  fall. 
But  we  stand  and  are  erect. 

9  The  Lord  save  the  king  ! 
May  he  hear  us,  when  we  call ! 


82  THE   PSALMS.  [xxi. 


PSALM   XXL 

Triumphal  song  of  a  people  for  the  victories  of  their  king. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music,     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  The  king  rejoiceth  in  thy  strength,  O  Lord  ! 
Yea,  he  doth  greatly  exult  in  thy  protection. 

2  Thou  hast  given  him  his  heart's  desire. 

And  hast  not  denied  him  the  request  of  his  lips. 

3  Yea,  thou  hast  met  him  with  rich  blessings. 

Thou  hast  placed  a  crown  of  pure  gold  upon  his  head. 

4  He  asked  life  of  thee ;  thou  gavest  it  him ; 
Even  long  life,  enduring  for  ever. 

5  Great  is  his  glory  through  thine  aid ; 
Honor  and  majesty  hast  thou  laid  upon  him. 

6  Thou  hast  made  him  blessed  for  evermore  ; 

Thou  hast  made  him  glad  with  the  joy  of  thy  countenance. 

7  For  the  king  trustcth  in  the  Lord ; 

And  through  the  goodness  of  the   Most  High   he  shall 
never  fall. 

8  Thy  hand  shall  overtake  all  thine  enemies ; 
Thy  right  hand  shall  overtake  them  that  hate  thee. 

9  Thou  wilt  make  them  like  a  burning  oven  in  the  time  of 

thine  anger ; 
Jehovah  shall  swallow  them  up  in  his  wrath, 
And  the  fire  shall  devour  them. 

10  Their  offspring  shalt  thou  destroy  from  the  earth ; 
And  their  race  from  the  sons  of  men. 

11  For  they  spread  a  net  of  mischief  against  thee  ; 

Tliey  devised  plots  against  thee,  but  they  did  not  prevail. 


XXII.]  THE   PSALMS.  83 

12  Therefore  thou  wilt  cause  them  to  turn  their  backs ; 
Thou  wilt  make   ready  thine    arrows   upon  the   strings 

against  them. 

13  Exalt  thyself,  O  Lord,  by  thy  strength  ! 

So  will  we  sing,  and  praise  thy  mighty  deeds. 


PSALM  XXIL 

A  prayer  of  one  in  deep  distress  on  account  of  his  enemies,  together  with 
expressions  of  confidence  in  divine  aid,  and  hopes  of  future  prosperity, 
and  of  the  extension  of  the  knowledge  and  worship  of  God. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     To  the  tune  of  "  The  hind  of  the  morn- 
ing."   ^  psalm  of  David. 

1  My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ? 

Why  so  far  from  mine  aid,  and  from  the  words  of  my  cry  ? 

2  O  my  God,  I  cry  during  the  day,  but  thou  hearest  not ; 
In  the  night  also,  but  I  have  no  rest ! 

3  And  yet  thou  art  holy, 

Dwelling  amid  the  praises  of  Israel ! 

4  Our  fathers  trusted  in  thee  ; 

They  trusted,  and  thou  didst  save  them. 

5  They  called  upon  thee,  and  were  delivered  ; 
They  trusted  in  thee,  and  were  not  disappointed. 

6  But  I  am  a  worm,  and  not  a  man ; 

The  reproach  of  men,  and  the  scorn  of  the  people. 

7  All  who  see  me  scoff  at  me ; 

They  open  wide  the  lips ;  they  shake  the  head. 

8  "  He  trusted  in  the  Lord,  let  him  help  him  ; 

Let  him  deliver  him,  since  he  delighted  in  him !  " 


g4  THE   PSALMS.  [xxii. 

9      Surely  thou  art  he  that  didst  bring  me  into  the  world ; 
Thou  didst  make  me  lie  secure  upon  my  mother's  breast ! 

10  Upon  thee  have  I  cast  myself  from  my  birth ; 
Thou  hast  been  my  God  from  my  earliest  breath ! 

11  O  be  not  far  from  me,  for  trouble  is  near  ; 
For  there  is  none  to  help ! 

12  Many  bulls  surround  me  ; 

Strong  bulls  of  Bashan  close  me  in  on  every  side. 

13  They  open  their  mouths  wide  against  me, 
Like  a  ravening  and  roaring  lion. 

14  I  am  poured  out  like  water. 

And  all  my  bones  are  out  of  joint ; 
My  heart  is  become  like  wax ; 
It  melteth  in  my  bosom. 

15  My  strength  is  dried  up  like  an  earthen  vessel, 
And  my  tongue  cleaveth  to  my  jaws  ; 

Thou  hast  brought  me  to  the  dust  of  death  ! 

16  For  dogs  have  surrounded  me  ; 

The  assembly  of  the  wicked  have  encompassed  me ; 
They  have  pierced  my  hands  and  my  feet. 

17  I  can  count  all  my  bones ; 

They  gaze,  and  feast  their  eyes  upon  me. 

18  They  divide  my  garments  among  them, 
And  for  my  vesture  they  cast  lots. 

19  But  be  not  thou  far  from  me,  O  Lord  ! 
O  my  strength,  make  haste  to  mine  aid  ! 

20  Deliver  my  life  from  the  sword  ; 

My  blood  from  the  power  of  the  dog ; 

21  Save  me  from  the  lion's  mouth  ; 

Shield  me  from  the  horns  of  the  buffaloes ! 


22 


I  will  proclaim  thy  name  to  my  brethren ; 
In  the  midst  of  the  congregation  will  I  praise  thee. 


XXIII.]  THE   PSALMS.  85 

23  Praise  him,  ye  worshippers  of  Jehovah  ! 
Extol  him,  all  ye  race  of  Jacob, 

And  fear  him,  all  ye  race  of  Israel  ! 

24  For  he  hath  not  despised  nor  abhorred  the  misery  of  the 

afflicted, 
Nor  hath  he  hid  his  face  from  him ; 
But  when  he  cried  unto  him,  he  heard. 

25  My  praise  shall  be  of  thee  in  the  great  congregation ; 
I  will  pay  my  vows  before  them  that  fear  him ! 

26  The  afflicted  shall  eat  and  be  satisfied ; 
They  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  praise  him  ; 
Your  hearts  shall  be  glad  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

27  All  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall  remember,  and  turn  to  the  Lord ; 
All  the  families  of  the  nations  shall  worship  before  thee ! 

28  For  the  kingdom  is  the  Lord's  ; 
He  is  the  governor  of  the  nations. 

29  All  the  rich  of  the  earth  shall  eat  and  worship  ; 

They  also  shall  bow  before  him,  who  are  going  down  to 

the  dust. 
Who  cannot  keep  themselves  alive. 

30  The  future  generation  shall  serve  him ; 

The  race  which  is  to  come  shall  hear  of  the  Lord. 

31  They  shall  come,  and  declare  his  righteousness ; 
His  mighty  deeds  to  the  people  that  shall  be  born. 


PSALM  XXIII. 

God  our  shepherd. 
A  psalm  of  David. 

1  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd,  I  shall  not  want. 

2  He  maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pastures ; 
He  leadeth  me  beside  the  still  waters. 

8 


86  THE   PSALMS.  [xxiv. 

3  He  reviveth  my  spirit ; 

He  leadeth  me  in  the  right  paths, 
For  his  name's  sake. 

4  When  I  walk  through  the  darkest  valley, 
I  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me  ; 

Thy  crook  and  thy  staff,  they  comfort  me. 

5  Thou  preparest  a  table  before  me, 
In  the  presence  of  mine  enemies. 
Thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil ; 
My  cup  runneth  over. 

6  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow  me  all  the  days 

of  my  life. 
And  I  shall  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  for  ever. 


PSALM  XXIV. 

Hymn  to  Jehovah,  occasioned  by  the  introduction  of  the  ark  of  the  cove- 
nant into  the  tabernacle,  or  temple. 

Ji  psalm  of  David. 

1  The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  all  that  is  therein ; 
The  world,  and  they  who  inhabit  it. 

2  For  he  hath  founded  it  upon  the  seas, 
And  established  it  upon  the  floods. 

3  Who  shall  ascend  the  hill  of  the  Lord  ? 
And  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place  .'* 

4  He  that  hath  clean  hands  and  a  pure  heart ; 
Who  hath  not  inclined  his  soul  to  falsehood, 
Nor  sworn  deceitfully. 


XXV.]  THE   PSALMS.  87 

5  He  shall  receive  a  blessing  from  the  Lord, 
And  favor  from  God,  his  helper. 

6  This  is  the  race  of  them  that  seek  him ; 
That  seek  thy  face,  O  God  of  Jacob  ! 

7  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates  ! 

Lift  yourselves  up,  ye  everlasting  doors. 
That  the  glorious  king  may  enter  in  ! 

8  "  Who  is  this  glorious  king  ?  " 
Jehovah,  strong  and  mighty  ; 
Jehovah,  mighty  in  battle. 

9  Lift  up  your  heads,  O  ye  gates  ! 

Lift  yourselves  up,  ye  everlasting  doors, 
That  the  glorious  king  may  enter  in  ! 

10      "  Who  is  this  glorious  king  ?  " 

Jehovah,  God  of  hosts,  he  is  the  glorious  king. 


PSALM  XXV. 

A  prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies,  for  instruction  in  duty,  for  divine 
forgiveness,  and  for  a  distressed  nation. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  To  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul ! 

2  O  my  God,  I  trust  in  thee !     Let  me  not  be  put  to  shame ! 
Let  not  my  enemies  triumph  over  me  ! 

3  Yea,  none  that  hope  in  thee  shall  be  put  to  shame ; 
They  shall  be  put  to  shame  who  wickedly  forsake  thee. 


88  THE   PSALMS.  [xxv. 

4  Cause  me  to  know  thy  ways,  O  Lord  ; 
Teach  me  thy  paths  ! 

5  Lead  me  in  thy  truth,  and  teach  me ; 

For  thou  art  the  God  from  whom  cometh  my  help  ; 
In  thee  do  I  trust  at  all  times  ! 

6  Remember  thy  loving-kindness,  O  Lord,  and  thy  tender 

mercy. 
Which  thou  hast  exercised  of  old  ! 

7  Remember  not  the  faults  and  transgressions  of  my  youth ; 
According  to  thy  mercy  remember  thou  me, 

For  thy  goodness'  sake,  O  Lord  ! 

8  Good  and  righteous  is  the  Lord, 
Therefore  showeth  he  to  sinners  the  way ; 

9  The  humble  he  guideth  in  his  statutes, 
And  the  humble  he  teach eth  his  way. 

10  All  the  doings  of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth, 
To  those  who  keep  his  covenant  and  his  precepts. 

11  For  thy  name's  sake,  O  Lord, 
Pardon  my  iniquity,  for  it  is  great ! 

12  Who  is  the  man  that  feareth  the  Lord  ? 

Him  doth  he  show  the  way  which  he  should  choose. 

13  He  shall  himself  dwell  in  prosperity, 
And  his  offspring  shall  inherit  the  land. 

14  The  Lord  is  the  friend  of  them  that  fear  him, 
And  he  will  teach  them  his  covenant. 

15  Mine  eyes  are  ever  directed  to  the  Lord, 
For  he  will  pluck  my  feet  from  the  net. 

16  Look  upon  me,  and  pity  me. 
For  I  am  desolate  and  afilicted  ! 

17  Lighten  the  sorrows  of  my  heart, 
And  deliver  me  from  my  troubles ! 


XXVI.]  THE   PSALMS.  89 

18  Look  upon  my  affliction  and  distress, 
And  forgive  all  my  sins  ! 

19  Consider  how  many  are  my  enemies, 
And  with  what  violence  they  hate  me  ! 

20  Guard  thou  my  life,  and  deliver  me  ! 

Let  me  not  be  put  to  shame,  for  I  have  trusted  in  thee  ! 

21  Let  innocence  and  uprightness  preserve  me. 
For  on  thee  do  I  rest  my  hope  ! 

22  Redeem  Israel,  O  God,  from  all  his  troubles ! 


PSALM  XXVL 

A  prayer  for  deliverance  from  distress,  with  protestations  of  the  righteous- 
ness of  hinn  who  offers  it.  It  is  commonly  supposed  to  relate  to  the  per- 
secution of  David  by  Saul. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Be  thou  my  judge,  O  Lord,  for  I  have  walked  in  up- 

rightness ! 
I  have  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord,  therefore  shall  I  not  fall. 

2  Examine  me,  O  Lord,  and  prove  me  ; 
Try  my  reins  and  my  heart ! 

3  For  thy  kindness  is  ever  before  my  eyes. 
And  I  walk  in  thy  truth. 

4  I  sit  not  with  men  of  falsehood. 

And  go  not  in  company  with  dissemblers. 

5  I  hate  the  assembly  of  evil-doers. 
And  do  not  sit  with  the  wicked. 

6  I  wash  my  hands  in  innocence. 
And  go  around  thine  altar,  O  Lord, 

7  To  utter  the  voice  of  thanksgiving. 
And  tell  of  all  thy  wondrous  works ! 

8* 


90  THE   PSALMS.  [xxvii. 

8  0  Lord,  I  love  the  house  of  thine  abode, 
The  place  where  thine  honor  dwelleth  ! 

9  Gather  not  my  breath  with  sinners. 
Nor  my  life  with  men  of  blood, 

10  In  whose  hands  is  mischief, 

And  whose  right  hands  are  full  of  bribes ! 

11  But  as  for  me,  I  walk  in  integrity  ; 

O  redeem  me,  and  be  merciful  to  me  ! 

12  My  feet  tread  in  a  straight  path  ; 

In  the  congregation  will  I  bless  the  Lord. 


PSALM  XXVII. 

A  pious  man  in  distress  expresses  his  confidence  in  God,  and  his  earnest 
desire  for  his  temple.  He  then  prays  for  relief  in  his  desolate  condition, 
and  trusts  that  he  shall  obtain  it.  This  psalm  may  have  been  composed 
on  the  same  occasion  as  the  last. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  The  Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation  ; 
Whom  shall  I  fear  } 

The  Lord  is  the  shield  of  my  life  ; 
Of  whom  shall  I  be  afraid  } 

2  When  the  wicked  came  upon  me  to  devour  me. 

Even  my  persecutors  and  enemies,  they  stumbled  and  fell. 

3  Though  a  host  should  encamp  against  me,  my  heart  shall 

not  fear  ; 
Though  war  should  rise  against  me,  yet  will  I  be  confident. 

4  One  thing  have  I  desired  of  the  Lord  ;  that  do  I  yet  seek ; 
That  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  all  the  days 

of  my  life, 
To  behold  tlie  glory  of  the  Lord, 
And  to  gaze  upon  his  temple. 


XXVII.]  THE   PSALMS.  91 

5  For  in  the  day  of  trouble  he  will  hide  me  in  his  pavilion ; 
Yea,  in  the  secret  place  of  his  tabernacle  will  he  shelter  me ; 
He  will  set  me  upon  a  rock. 

6  Yea,  already  doth  he  lift  my  head  above  my  enemies, 

who  are  around  me  ; 
Therefore  in  his  tabernacle  will  I  offer  sacrifices  with  the 

sound  of  trumpets ; 
I  will  sing,  yea,  with  instruments  of  music  I  will  givQ 

praise  to  the  Lord. 

7  Hear  my  voice,  O  Lord,  when  I  cry  unto  thee ; 
Have  pity  upon  me,  and  answer  me ! 

8  When  I  think  of  thy  precept,  "  Seek  ye  my  face !  " 
Thy  face,  Lord,  do  I  seek. 

9  O  hide  not  thou  thy  face  from  me  ; 

Cast  not  thy  servant  away  in  displeasure  ! 
Thou  hast  been  my  help,  do  not  leave  me  ; 
Do  not  forsake  me,  O  God,  my  helper  ! 

10  For  my  father  and  my  mother  have  forsaken  mc ; 
But  the  Lord  will  take  me  up. 

11  Teach  me  thy  way,  O  Lord, 

And  lead  me  in  the  right  path,  because  of  my  enemies ! 

12  Give  me  not  up  to  the  will  of  my  adversaries ! 
For  false  witnesses  have  risen  up  against  me, 
And  such  as  breathe  out  injustice. 

13  I  trust  that  I  shall  see  the  goodness  of  the  Lord 
In  the  land  of  the  living !    Hope  thou  in  the  Lord  ! 

14  Be  of  good  courage ;  let  thy  heart  be  strong  ; 
Hope  thou  in  the  Lord  ! 


92  THE   PSALMS.  [xxviii. 


PSALM   XXVIII. 

Prayer  for  aid;  and  for  the  punishment  of  enemies,  with  strong  hopes  of 
being  heard. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  To  tliec  do  I  cry,  O  Lord  !     O  my  rock,  be  not  silent 

to  me, 
Lest,  if  thou  answer  me  not,  I  become  like  those  who  go 
down  to  the  pit ! 

2  Hear  the  voice  of  my  supplication,  when  I  cry  unto  thee, 
When  I  lift  up  my  hands  to  thy  most  holy  sanctuary ! 

3  Draw  me  not  away  with  the  impious,  and  with  evil-doers, 
Who  speak  peace  to  their  neighbours,  while  mischief  is 

in  their  hearts ! 

4  Give  them  according  to  their  deeds,  and  the  wickedness 

of  their  conduct ; 
Give  them  according  to  the  work  of  their  hands  ; 
Render  to  them  their  desert  ! 

5  For  they  regard  not  the  doings  of  the  Lord,  nor  the  work 

of  his  hands  ; 
Therefore  shall  he  destroy  them,  and  never  build  them  up. 

6  Praised  be  the  Lord,  for  he  hath  heard  the  voice  of  my 

supplications ! 

7  The  Lord  is  my  strength,  and  my  shield  ; 
My  heart  trustcth  in  him,  and  he  helpeth  me  ; 
Therefore  doth  my  heart  exult. 

And  in  my  song  I  will  praise  him. 

8  Jehovah  is  the  strength  of  his  people  ; 

lie  is  the  protecting  shield  of  his  anointed. 

9  Save  thy  people,  and  bless  thine  inheritance  ; 
Feed  them  also,  and  build  them  up  for  ever  ! 


XXIX.]  THE   PSALMS.  93 


PSALM   XXIX. 

The  glory  of  God,  as  manifested  in  a  thunder-storm. 
^  psalm  of  David. 

1  Give  to  Jehovah,  O  ye  sons  of  God, 
Give  to  Jehovah  glory  and  praise  ! 

2  Give  to  Jehovah  the  glory  due  to  his  name  ; 
Worship  Jehovah  in  holy  attire  ! 

3  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  heard  above  the  waters ; 
The  God  of  glory  thundereth, 

Jehovah  above  the  great  waters. 

4  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  powerful ; 

The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  full  of  majesty ; 

5  The  voice  of  Jehovah  breaketh  the  cedars  ; 
Yea,  Jehovah  breaketh  the  cedars  of  Lebanon ; 

6  Yea,  he  maketh  them  to  leap  like  a  calf ; 
Lebanon  and  Sirion  like  a  young  buffalo. 

7  The  voice  of  Jehovah  divideth  the  flames  of  fire. 

8  The  voice  of  Jehovah  maketh  the  wilderness  tremble  ; 
Yea,  Jehovah  maketh  the  wilderness  of  Kadesh  tremble. 

9  The  voice  of  Jehovah  maketh  the  hinds  bring  forth, 
And  layeth  bare  the  forests  ; 

While,  in  his  palace,  every  one  declareth  his  glory. 

10  Jehovah  sitteth  above  the  storm  ; 
Yea,  Jehovah  sitteth  king  for  ever. 

11  Jehovah  will  give  strength  to  his  people  ; 
Jehovah  will  bless  his  people  with  peace. 


94  THE   PSALMS.  [xxx. 

PSALM  XXX. 

A  song  of  thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  distress. 
A  psalm  of  David.    To  the  air  of  songs  for  the  dedication  of  a  house. 

1  I  WILL  extol  thee,  O  Lord,  for  thou  hast  lifted  me  up. 
And  hast  not  suffered  my  enemies  to  rejoice  over  me. 

2  O  Jehovah,  my  God, 

I  called  upon  thee,  and  thou  hast  healed  me ! 

3  O  Lord,  thou  hast  raised  me  up  from  the  underworld  ; 
Thou  hast  kept  me  alive,  that  I  should  not  go  down  to 

the  pit ! 

4  Sing  unto  the  Lord,  O  ye  his  servants, 
And  praise  his  holy  name  ! 

5  For  his  anger  endureth  but  a  moment, 
But  his  favor  through  life  ; 

Sorrow  may  be  a  guest  for  the  night, 
But  joy  Cometh  in  the  morning. 

6  I  said  in  my  prosperity,  I  shall  never  be  moved ! 

7  Thou,  O  Lord,  by  thy  favor,  hast  made  my  mountain  strong ; 
Thou  didst  hide  thy  face,  and  I  was  troubled  ! 

8  I  cried  unto  thee,  O  Lord, 

To  the  Lord  I  made  supplication : 

9  "  What  will  my  blood  profit. thee,  that  I  should  go  down 

to  the  pit  ? 
Can  dust  praise  thee  ?     Can  it  declare  thy  faithfulness  .> 

10  Hear,  O  Lord,  and  have  pity  upon  me  ! 
Be  thou,  O  Lord,  my  helper  !  " 

11  Thou  didst  turn  my  mourning  into  dancing; 

Thou  didst  loose  my  sackcloth,  and  gird  me  with  gladness. 


XXXI.]  THE   PSALMS.  95 

12  Therefore  I  will  sing  praise  to  thee,  and  not  be  silent ; 
O  Jehovah,  my  God,  I  will  give  thanks  to  thee  for  ever ! 


PSALM  XXXI. 

A  prayer  for  deliverance,  in  the  confident  hope  of  being  heard. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.    A  psalm  of  David. 

1  In  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  trust;  let  me  never  be  put  to 

shame  ; 
According  to  thy  goodness  deliver  me  ! 

2  Bow  down  thine  ear  to  me  ;  help  me  speedily  ! 

Be  to  me  a  strong  rock,  a  high  fortress,  for  my  deliverance ! 

3  For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  high  fortress ; 

Be  thou  also  my  guide,  and  lead  me,  for  thy  name's  sake ! 

4  Draw  me  out  of  the  net  which  they  have  secretly  laid 

for  me, 
For  thou  art  my  strength  ! 

5  Into  thy  hand  I  commit  my  life  ; 

Thou  wilt  deliver  me,  O  Lord,  thou  God  of  truth  ! 

6  I  hate  those  who  regard  lying  vanities. 
And  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord. 

7  I  will  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thy  mercy, 
That  thou  hast  looked  upon  my  trouble. 
And  hast  had  regard  to  my  distress  ; 

8  That  thou  hast  not  given  me  up  to  the  hands  of  my  enemies, 
But  hast  set  my  feet  in  a  wide  place. 

9  Have  mercy  upon  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  in  trouble ! 
My  face  is  consumed  with  grief ; 

Yea,  my  spirit,  and  my  body. 
10  For  my  life  is  wasted  with  sorrow, 
And  my  years  with  sighing ; 


9g  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxi. 

My  strength  faileth  by  reason  of  my  affliction, 
And   my  bones   are   consumed    on  account   of  all    my 
enemies. 

11  I  have  become  the  scorn  of  my  neighbours, 
And  the  terror  of  my  acquaintance  ; 
They  who  see  me  abroad  flee  from  me. 

12  I  am  forgotten,  like  a  dead  man ; 
I  am  like  a  broken  vessel. 

13  I  hear  the  slander  of  many ;  fear  is  on  every  side ; 
For  they  take  counsel  together  against  me  ; 
They  devise  to  take  away  my  life. 

14  But  I  trust  in  thee,  O  Jehovah  ! 
I  say,  "  Thou  art  my  God  !  " 

15  My  destiny  is  in  thy  hand ; 

Deliver  me  from  the  power  of  my  enemies  and  persecutors ! 

16  Let  thy  face  shine  upon  thy  servant, 
And  save  me  through  thy  mercy ! 

17  Let  me  not  be  put  to  shame,  O  Lord !  for  I  have  called 

upon  thee ; 
Let  the  wicked  be  put  to  shame  ; 
Let  them  be  silenced  in  the  grave ! 

18  Let  lying  lips  be  put  to  silence. 

Which  speak  proud  things  against  the  righteous, 
With  haughtiness  and  contempt ! 

19  O  how  great  is  thy  goodness,  which  thou  treasurest  up 

for  them  that  fear  thee  ; 
Which  thou  showest  to  them  that  trust  in  thee,  before  the 
sons  of  men ! 

20  Thou  hidest  them  in  the  secret   place  of  thy  presence 

from  the  machinations  of  men ; 
Thou  shelterest  them  in  thy  pavilion  from  the  violence 
of  tongues. 


XXXII.]  THE    PSALMS.  97 

21  Praised  be  the  Lord,  for  he  hath  shown  me  his  wonderful 

kindness, 
As  in  a  fortified  city  ! 

22  I  said  in  my  distress, 

I  am  cut  off  from  before  thine  eyes ; 

But  thou  didst  hear  the  voice  of  my  supplication, 

When  I  cried  unto  thee. 

23  0  love  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  servants, 
For  the  Lord  preserveth  the  faithful, 
And  requiteth  the  proud  in  full  measure  ! 

24  Be  of  good  courage  ;  let  your  hearts  be  strong, 
All  ye  who  trust  in  the  Lord  ! 


PSALM  XXXII. 

The  happiness  of  him  whose  sins  are  forgiven.  This  psalm  is  commonly 
supposed  to  express  the  feelings  of  David  after  his  reproof  by  Nathan 
the  prophet.    See  2  Sam.  eh.  xii. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Happy  is  he  whose    transgression  is  forgiven,  whose 

sin  is  pardoned  ! 

2  Happy  the  man  to  whom  Jehovah  imputeth  not  iniquity. 
And  in  whose  spirit  there  is  no  guile  ! 

3  While  I  kept  silence,  my  bones  were  wasted. 
By  reason  of  my  groaning  all  the  day  long. 

4  For  day  and  night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me  ; 
My  moisture  dried  up,  as  in  summer's  drought. 

5  At  length  I  acknowledged  to  thee  my  sin. 
And  did  not  hide  my  iniquity. 

9 


98  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxiii. 

I  said,  I  will  confess  my  transgression  to  the  Lord  ; 
And  thou  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my  sin ! 
6  Therefore  shall  every  pious  man  pray  to  thee,  while  thou 
mayst  be  found  ; 
Surely  the  floods  of  great  waters  shall  not  come  near  him. 

I  Thou   art   my  hiding-place  ;    thou   preservest   me  from 

trouble ; 
Thou  compassest  me  about  with  songs  of  deliverance. 

8  I  will  instruct  thee,  and  show  thee  the  way  thou  shouldst 

go; 
I  will  give  thee  counsel,  and  keep  mine  eye  upon  thee. 

9  Be  ye  not  like  the  horse  or  the  mule,  which  have  no  under- 

standing, 
Whose  mouths  must  be  pressed  with  the  bridle  and  curb. 
Because  they  will  not  come  near  thee  ! 
10  The  wicked  hath  many  sorrows  ; 

But  he  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord  is  encompassed  with  mer- 
cies. 

II  Rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  be  glad,  ye  righteous ; 
Shout  for  joy,  all  ye  that  are  upright  in  heart ! 


PSALM  XXXIII. 

A  hymn  to  Jehovah  as  the  creator  and  governor  of  the  world;  and  the 
special  protector  of  the  Jewish  nation. 

1  Rejoice,  O  ye  righteous,  in  the  Lord  ! 
For  praise  becometh  the  upright. 

2  Praise  the  Lord  with  the  harp  ; 

Sing  to  him  with  the  ten-stringed  psaltery  ! 

3  Sing  to  him  a  new  song  ; 

Play  skilfully  amid  the  sound  of  trumpets ! 


XXXIII.]  THE   PSALMS.  99 

4  For  the  word  of  the  Lord  is  right, 
And  all  his  acts  are  faithful. 

5  He  loveth  justice  and  equity  ; 

The  earth  is  full  of  the  goodness  of  the  Lord. 

6  By  the  word  of  the  Lord  were  the  heavens  made, 
And  all  the  hosts  of  them  by  the  breath  of  his  mouth. 

7  He  gathereth  the  waters  of  the  sea,  as  a  heap  ; 
He  layeth  up  the  deep  in  storehouses. 

8  Let  all  the  earth  fear  the  Lord  ; 

Let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  stand  in  awe  of  him ! 

9  For  he  spake,  and  it  was  done  ; 
He  commanded,  and  it  stood  fast. 

10  The  Lord  bringeth  the  devices  of  the  nations  to  nothing ; 
He  frustrateth  the  designs  of  kingdoms. 

11  The  purposes  of  the  Lord  stand  for  ever ; 
The  designs  of  his  heart  to  all  generations. 

12  Happy  the  nation  whose  God  is  Jehovah  ; 

The  people  whom  he  hath  chosen  for  his  inheritance. 

13  The  Lord  looketh  down  from  heaven  ; 
He  beholdeth  all  the  children  of  men  ; 

14  From  his  dwelling-place  he  beholdeth  all  the  inhabitants 

of  the  earth ; 

15  He,  that  formed  the  hearts  of  all. 
And  observeth  all  their  works. 

16  A  king  is  not  saved  by  the  number  of  his  forces, 
Nor  a  hero  by  the  greatness  of  his  strength. 

17  The  horse  is  a  vain  thing  for  safety. 

Nor  can  he  deliver  his  master  by  his  great  strength. 

18  Behold,  the  eye  of  the  Lord  is  upon  them  that  fear  him ; 
Upon  them  that  trust  in  his  goodness  ; 

19  To  save  them  from  the  power  of  death. 
And  keep  them  alive  in  famine. 


100  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxiv. 

20  The  hope  of  our  souls  is  in  the  Lord  ; 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 

21  Yea,  in  him  doth  our  heart  rejoice  ; 
In  his  holy  name  we  have  confidence. 

22  May  thy  goodness  be  upon  us,  O  Lord, 
According  as  we  trust  in  thee  ! 


PSALM  XXXIV. 

Thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  distress,  and  a  description  of  the  happi- 
ness of  the  good  and  the  misery  of  the  wicked. 

A  psalm  of  David,  when  he  feigned  himself  mad  before  Mimelech^ 
who  drove  him  away,  and  he  departed. 

1  I  WILL  bless  Jehovah  at  all  times  ; 

His  praise  shall  continually  be  in  my  mouth. 

2  In  the  Lord  doth  my  soul  boast ; 
Let  the  afflicted  hear,  and  rejoice ! 

3  O  magnify  the  Lord  with  me. 
And  let  us  exalt  his  name  together  ! 

4  I  sought  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me. 
And  delivered  me  from  all  my  fears. 

5  Look  up  to  him,  and  ye  shall  have  light ; 
Your  faces  shall  never  be  ashamed. 

6  This  afflicted  man  cried,  and  Jehovah  heard, 
And  saved  him  from  all  his  troubles. 

7  The  angels  of  the  Lord  encamp  around  those  who  fear  him. 
And  deliver  them. 

8  O  taste,  and  see  how  good  is  the  Lord ! 
Happy  the  man  who  trusteth  in  him  ! 


XXXIV.]  THE   PSALMS.  101 

9  0  fear  the  Lord,  ye  his  servants ! 
For  to  those  who  fear  him  there  shall  be  no  want. 

10  Young  lions  want  and  suffer  hunger  ; 

But  they  who  fear  the  Lord  want  no  good  thing. 

11  Come,  ye  children,  hearken  to  me  ! 
I  will  teach  you  the  fear  of  the  Lord. 

12  Who  is  he  that  loveth  life, 

And  desireth  many  days,  in  which  he  may  see  good .' 

13  Guard  well  thy  tongue  from  evil, 
And  thy  lips  from  speaking  guile  ! 

14  Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good  ; 
Seek  peace,  and  pursue  it ! 

15  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous, 
And  his  ears  are  open  to  their  cry. 

16  But  the  face  of  the  Lord  is  against  evil-doers. 
To  cut  off  their  remembrance  from  the  earth. 

17  The  righteous  cry,  and  the  Lord  heareth, 
And  delivereth  them  from  all  their  troubles. 

18  The  Lord  is  near  to  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart, 
And  saveth  such  as  are  of  a  contrite  spirit. 

19  Many  are  the  afflictions  of  the  righteous ; 
But  the  Lord  delivereth  him  from  them  all. 

20  He  guardeth  all  his  bones  ; 

Not  one  of  them  shall  be  broken. 

21  Calamity  destroyeth  the  wicked. 

And  they  who  hate  the  righteous  suffer  for  it. 

22  Jehovah  redeemeth  the  life  of  his  servants. 

And  none  that  put  their  trust  in  him  will  suffer  for  it. 


102  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxv. 


PSALM   XXXV. 

A  prayer  for  help  against  enemies ;  commonly  supposed  to  relate  to  the 
persecution  of  David  by  Saul  and  his  courtiers. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Contend,  O  Lord,  with  them  that  contend  with  me ! 
Fight  against  them  that  fight  against  me  ! 

2  Take  hold  of  shield  and  buckler, 
And  stand  up  for  my  help  ! 

3  Draw  forth  the  spear  and  the  axe  against  my  persecutors ; 
Say  to  me,  "  I  am  thy  salvation." 

4  May  they  be  confounded  and  put  to  shame,  who  seek  my 

life; 
May  they  be  turned  back  with  disgrace,  who  devise  my 
hurt! 

5  May  they  be  like  dust  before  the  wind ; 
May  the  angel  of  the  Lord  drive  them  ! 

6  May  their  way  be  dark  and  slippery, 

And  may  the  angel  of  Jehovah  pursue  them  ! 

7  For  without  cause  they  have  laid  for  me  a  snare ; 
Without  cause  they  have  digged  for  me  a  pit. 

8  May  unforeseen  destruction  come  upon  them  ! 

May  the  snare  which  they  have  laid  lay  hold  on  them- 
selves. 
And  may  they  fall  into  destruction ! 

9  Then  shall  my  soul  rejoice  in  the  Lord ; 
It  shall  exult  in  his  protection. 

10  All  my  bones  shall  say,  Who,  O  Lord,  is  like  thee, 
Who  dost  rescue  the  afflicted  from  the  oppressor, 
The  afflicted  and  destitute  from  the  spoiler  ? 

11  False  witnesses  have  risen  up  ; 

They  charge  me  with  that  which  has  not  entered  my  mind. 


XXXV.]  THE    PSALMS.  103 

12  They  repay  me  evil  for  good  ; 
They  bereave  me  of  my  all. 

13  And  yet  I,  during  their  sickness,  clothed  myself  with  sack- 

cloth, 
And  afflicted  myself  with  fasting, 
And  my  prayer  was  turned  to  my  bosom. 

14  I  behaved  myself  as  if  he  had  been  my  friend  or  brother ; 
I  bowed  down  in  sadness,  as  one  mourning  for  his  mother. 

15  But  at  my  fall  they  rejoice,  and  gather  themselves  to- 

gether ; 
Revilers  whom  I  know  not  assemble  themselves  against 

me ; 
They  tear  me  without  ceasing. 

16  With  base  men  who  mock  for  their  bread, 
They  gnash  at  me  with  their  teeth. 

17  How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  look  on  ? 

O  rescue  my  life  from  the  destruction  they  plot  for  me  ; 
My  precious  life  from  those  young  lions  ! 

18  I  will  thank  thee  in  the  great  assembly  ; 
Before  a  numerous  people  I  will  praise  thee. 

19  Let  not  them  that  are  my  enemies  wrongfully  triumph 

over  me  ; 
Let  them  not  wink  with  the  eye,  who  hate  me  without 
cause ! 

20  For  they  speak  not  peace  ; 

They  devise  deceit  against  them  that  are  quiet  in  the  land. 

21  Yea,  they  open  their  mouths  wide  against  me  ; 
They  say,  "  Aha,  aha,  our  eye  seeth  it !  " 

22  Thou  seest  it,  O  Jehovah ;  be  not  silent ! 
O  Lord,  be  not  far  from  me  ! 

23  Arouse  thyself;  awake  for  my  defence  ! 
My  God  and  my  Lord,  awake  to  my  cause  ! 


104  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxvi. 

24  Judge  me  according  to  thy  righteousness,  O  Jehovah,  my 

God! 
Let  them  not  triumph  over  me  ! 

25  Let  them  not  say  in  their  hearts,  "  Aha !  we  have  our 

wish  !  " 
Let  them  not  say,  "  We  have  swallowed  him  up  !  " 

26  May  they  all  be  confounded  and  brought  to  shame, 
Who  rejoice  at  my  calamity ! 

May  they  be  clothed  with  ignominy  and  disgrace, 
Who  exalt  themselves  against  me  ! 

27  Let  them  shout  for  joy,  and  be  glad, 
Who  favor  my  righteous  cause  ; 

Let  them  ever  say,  "  The  Lord  be  praised. 
Who  delighteth  in  the  prosperity  of  his  servant ! " 

28  So  shall  my  tongue  speak  of  thy  righteousness, 
And  daily  repeat  thy  praise. 


PSALM  XXXVI. 

Complaint  of  the  wickedness  of  men;  description  of  the  goodness  of  God; 
prayer  for  help. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David^  the  servant  of  the 
Lord. 

1  To  speak  of  the  guilt  of  the  wicked  is  in  my  heart ; 
He  hath  no  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes. 

2  He  flattereth  himself  in  his  own  eyes  ; 
To  discover  his  iniquity  is  hateful  to  him. 

3  The  words  of  his  mouth  are  iniquity  and  deceit ; 
He  neglecteth  to  be  wise  and  to  do  good. 

4  He  deviseth  mischief  upon  his  bed  ; 
He  perse vereth  in  an  evil  way  ; 
He  abhorreth  not  sin. 


XXXVII.]  THE   PSALMS.  105 

5  Thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  reacheth  to  the  heavens, 
And  thy  faithfulness  to  the  clouds  ; 

6  Thy  righteousness  is  like  the  high  mountains ; 
Thy  judgments  are  a  great  deep  ; 

Thou,  O  Lord,  preservest  man  and  beast ! 

7  How  precious  is  thy  loving-kindness,  O  God  ! 

Yea,  the  sons  of  men  seek  refuge  under  the  shadow  of  thy 
wings. 

8  They  are  satisfied  with  the  abundance  of  thy  house ; 
And  thou  causest  them  to  drink  of  the  full  stream  of  thy 

pleasures. 

9  For  with  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life  ; 
Through  thy  light  we  see  light. 

10  O  continue  thy  loving-kindness  to  them  that  know  thee ; 
And  thy  favor  to  the  upright  in  heart  ! 

11  Let  not  the  foot  of  the  proud  come  upon  me, 
Nor  the  hand  of  the  wicked  remove  me  ! 

12  Lo !  already  are  the  workers  of  iniquity  fallen  ; 
They  are  cast  down  ;  they  are  unable  to  rise  ! 


PSALM  XXXVII. 

A  didactic  psalm  on  the  rewards  of  the  righteous  and  the  punishment  of 
the  wicked. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Be  not  thou  angry  on  account  of  the  wicked, 
Nor  be  envious  of  those  who  do  iniquity. 

2  For  soon  shall  they  be  cut  down,  like  grass, 
And  wither  like  the  green  herb. 


106  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxvii. 

3  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  do  good  ; 
Abide  in  the  land,  and  seek  righteousness. 

4  Place  thy  delight  in  the  Lord, 

And  he  will  give  thee  thy  heart's  desires. 

5  Cast  thy  cares  upon  the  Lord  ; 

Trust  in  him,  and  he  will  give  thee  success  ! 

6  He  will  cause  thy  justice  to  shine  forth  like  the  light, 
And  thy  righteousness  like  the  noonday's  brightness. 

7  Repose  thou  on  the  Lord, 
And  in  him  place  thy  trust ! 

Be  not  angry  on  account  of  the  prosperous  ; 
On  account  of  him  that  deviseth  deceit ! 

8  Cease  from  anger  ;  give  not  way  to  wrath  ; 
Be  not  provoked,  so  as  to  do  evil ! 

9  For  evil-doers  shall  be  rooted  out ; 

But  they  who  trust  in  Jehovah,  they  shall  inherit  the  land. 

10  Yet  a  little  while,  and  the  wicked  shall  be  no  more ; 
Thou  mayst  look  for  his  place,  and  he  will  not  be  found. 

11  But  the  meek  shall  inherit  the  land. 

And  delight  themselves  in  the  fulness  of  prosperity. 

12  The  wicked  man  plotteth  against  the  just, 
And  gnasheth  at  him  with  his  teeth. 

13  Jehovah  laugheth  at  him  ; 

For  he  seeth  that  his  day  is  coming. 

14  The  wicked  draw  the  sword. 
And  bend  their  bow. 

To  cast  down  the  afflicted  and  the  needy. 
And  to  slay  the  upright. 


xxxvii.]  THE   PSALMS.  IO7 

15  Their  swords  shall  enter  their  own  hearts, 
And  their  bows  shall  be  broken  in  pieces. 

16  Better  is  the  little  of  the  righteous  man 
Than  the  great  abundance  of  the  wicked  ; 

17  For  the  arms  of  the  wicked  shall  be  broken, 
But  the  Lord  will  uphold  the  righteous. 

18  The  Lord  careth  for  the  life  of  the  upright, 
And  their  inheritance  shall  endure  for  ever. 

19  They  shall  not  be  ashamed  in  the  evil  time. 

And  in  the  days  of  famine  they  shall  have  enough. 

20  But  the  wicked  shall  perish  ; 

Yea,  the  enemies  of  the  Lord  shall  be  consumed,  like  the 

glory  of  the  fields  ; 
They  shall  be  consumed  into  smoke. 

21  The  wicked  borroweth,  and  repayeth  not ; 
But  the  righteous  is  merciful  and  bountiful. 

22  For  they  who  are  blessed  by  God  shall  inherit  the  land. 
And  they  who  are  cursed  by  him  shall  be  rooted  out. 

23  The  steps  of  the  good  man  are  directed  by  the  Lord ; 
He  delighteth  himself  in  his  way. 

24  Though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  be  utterly  cast  down, 
For  the  Lord  holdeth  him  by  the  hand. 

25  I  have  been  young,  and  now  am  old  ; 
Yet  have  I  not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken, 
Nor  his  offspring  begging  bread. 

26  He  is  ever  merciful  and  lendeth. 
And  his  offspring  shall  be  blessed. 


108  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxvii. 

27  Depart  from  evil,  and  do  good, 

So  thou  shalt  dwell  in  the  land  for  ever. 

28  For  the  Lord  loveth  righteousness, 
And  forsake th  not  his  servants ; 
They  are  preserved  for  ever ; 

But  the  posterity  of  the  wicked  shall  be  rooted  out. 

29  The  righteous  shall  inherit  the  land, 
And  shall  dwell  therein  for  ever. 

30  The  mouth  of  the  righteous  uttereth  wisdom, 
And  his  tongue  speaketh  what  is  right. 

31  The  law  of  his  God  is  in  his  heart ; 
His  footsteps  shall  not  slip. 

32  The  wicked  watcheth  the  righteous. 
And  seeketh  to  slay  him  ; 

33  The  Lord  will  not  leave  him  in  his  hand. 

Nor  suffer  him  to  be  condemned,  when  he  is  judged. 

34  Trust  in  the  Lord,  and  keep  his  way, 

And  he  will  exalt  thee  to  the  possession  of  the  land. 
Whilst  thou  shalt  see  the  destruction  of  the  wicked  ! 

35  I  have  seen  a  wicked  man  in  great  power, 
And  spreading  himself  like  a  green  cedar  ; 

36  But  he  passed  away,  and,  lo !  he  was  no  more  ; 
Yea,  I  sought  him,  but  he  was  not  found. 

37  Mark  the  righteous  man,  and  behold  the  upright ; 
For  the  end  of  that  man  shall  be  peace  ! 

38  But  transgressors  will  all  be  destroyed  ; 
The  wicked  shall  be  rooted  out  at  the  last. 


XXXVIII.]  THE   PSALMS.  109 

39  The  salvation  of  the  just  is  from  the  Lord. 
He  is  their  strength  in  the  time  of  trouble. 

40  The  Lord  will  help  and  deliver  them  ; 

He  will  deliver  them  from  their  enemies,  and  save  them, 
Because  they  trust  in  him. 


PSALM  XXXVIIL 

A  prayer  of  one  in  deep  affliction.    It  may  have  been  occasioned  by  the 
affair  of  Bathsheba,  or  by  some  other  offence  of  David. 

A  jpsalm  of  David.      To  bring  to  remcmhrance. 

1  O  LoED,  rebuke  me  not  in  thy  wrath, 
Nor  chasten  me  in  thy  hot  displeasure  ! 

2  For  thine  arrows  have  deeply  pierced  me, 
And  thy  hand  hath  been  heavy  upon  me. 

3  There  is  no  soundness  in  my  flesh,  because  of  thine  anger; 
Nor  rest  in  my  bones,  because  of  my  sin. 

4  For  my  iniquities  have  gone  over  my  head  ; 

Like  a  heavy  burden,  they  are  more  than  I  can  bear. 

5  My  wounds  putrefy  and  are  loathsome  on  account  of  my 

folly. 

6  I  am  bent ;  I  am  bowed  down  greatly  ; 
I  go  mourning  all  the  day  long. 

7  For  my  loins  are  full  of  burning  heat. 
And  there  is  no  soundness  in  my  flesh. 

8  I  am  weakened  and  bruised  exceedingly  ; 

I  roar  by  reason  of  the  disquietude  of  my  heart. 

9  O  Lord,  thou  knowest  all  my  desire. 
And  my  groaning  is  not  hidden  from  thee  ! 

10 


110  THE   PSALMS.  [xxxviii. 

10  My  heart  panteth ;  my  strength  faileth  me  ; 
The  very  Hght  of  my  eyes  is  gone  from  me. 

11  My  friends  and  acquaintance  keep  aloof  from  my  woe, 
And  my  kinsmen  stand  afar  off: 

12  While  they  who  seek  my  life  lay  snares  for  me  ; 
They  who  seek  my  hurt  threaten  destruction, 
And  meditate  deceit  all  the  day  long. 

13  But  I,  like  a  deaf  man,  hear  not ; 

And,  like  a  dumb  man,  open  not  my  mouth. 

14  I  am  like  one  who  heareth  nothing. 
And  in  whose  mouth  is  no  reply. 

15  For  in  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  put  my  trust; 
Thou  wilt  hear,  O  Lord,  my  God  ! 

16  For  I  have  prayed,  Let  them  not  rejoice  over  me  ; 
Let  them  not  exult  at  the  slipping  of  my  feet ! 

17  For  I  am  ready  to  fall. 

And  my  pain  doth  never  leave  me  ; 

18  For  I  confess  my  iniquity, 

And  am  troubled  on  account  of  my  sin. 

19  But  my  enemies  flourish  and  are  strong  ; 
They  who  hate  me  without  cause  are  multiplied. 

20  They  who  repay  good  with  evil  are  my  enemies, 
Because  I  follow  that  which  is  good. 

21  Forsake  me  not,  O  Lord  ! 

O  my  God,  be  not  far  from  me  ! 

22  Make  haste  to  mine  aid,  0  Lord,  my  salvation! 


XXXIX.]  THE    PSALMS.  HI 


PSALM  XXXIX. 

Complaints  of  one  in  affliction  respecting  the  shortness  and  vanity  of  hu- 
man life,  with  expressions  of  submission,  and  prayer  for  relief. 

A  psalm  of  David.     For  the  leader  of  the  music  of  the  Jeduthunites. 

1  I  SAID,  I  will  take  heed  to  my  ways, 
That  I  may  not  sin  with,  my  tongue  ; 

I  will  keep  my  mouth  with  a  bridle, 
While  the  wicked  is  before  me. 

2  I  was  dumb  with  silence ;  I  spake  not  even  what  was  good  ; 
But  my  pain  was  increased. 

3  My  heart  was  hot  within  me ; 

In  my  anguish  the  fire  burst  forth. 
And  I  spake  with  my  tongue  : 

4  Lord,  make  me  to  know  mine  end. 
And  the  number  of  my  days, 

That  I  may  know  how  frail  I  am  ! 

5  Behold,  thou  hast  made  my  days  as  a  hand-breadth, 
And  my  life  is  as  nothing  before  thee  ; 

Yea,  every  man  in  his  firmest  state  is  altogether  vanity. 

6  Surely  every  man  walketh  in  a  vain  show  ; 
Surely  he  disquieteth  himself  in  vain  ; 

He  heapeth  up  riches,  and  knoweth  not  who  shall  gather 
them. 

7  What,  then,  O  Lord,  is  my  hope  ? 
My  hope  is  in  thee  ! 

8  Deliver  me  from  all  my  transgressions  ; 
Let  me  not  be  the  reproach  of  scoffers  ! 

9  Yet  I  am  dumb  ;  I  open  not  my  mouth  ; 
For  thou  hast  done  it ! 


112  THE   PSALMS.  [xl. 

10  But  remove  from  me  thine  infliction  ; 

For  I  am  perishing  by  the  blow  of  thine  hand. 

11  When  thou  with  rebukes  dost  chasten  man  for  iniquity, 
Thou  causest  his  glory  to  waste  away  like  a  moth ! 
Surely  every  man  is  vanity. 

12  Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord  ; 
Give  ear  to  my  cry  ; 

Be  not  silent  at  my  tears  ! 

For  I  am  but  a  stranger  with  thee, 

A  sojourner,  as  all  my  fathers  were. 

13  O  spare  me,  that  I  may  recover  strength. 
Before  I  go  away,  and  be  no  more  I 


PSALM  XL. 

Thanksgiving  for  past  favors,  resolutions  of  obedience  to  the  divine  will, 
and  prayer  for  continued  mercy. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  I  TRUSTED  steadfastly  in  the  Lord, 
And  he  listened,  and  heard  my  cry. 

2  He  drew  me  out  of  a  horrible  pit. 
Out  of  the  miiy  clay ; 

He  set  my  feet  upon  a  rock. 
And  made  my  steps  firm. 

3  He  hath  put  into  my  mouth  a  new  song, 
A  song  of  praise  to  our  God. 

Many  shall  see,  and  fear. 
And  put  their  trust  in  the  Lord. 

4  Happy  the  man  who  maketh  the  Lord  his  trust, 
And  resorteth  not  to  men  of  pride  and  falsehood ! 


XL.]  THE    PSALMS.  113 

5  Many,  O  Lord,  my  God,  are  the  wonderful  works 

which  thou  hast  done ; 
Many  have  been  thy  gracious  purposes  toward  us ; 
None  can  be  compared  to  thee !     I  would  declare  and 

rehearse  them, 
But  they  are  more  than  can  be  numbered. 

6  In  sacrifice  and  oblation  thou  hast  no  pleasure ; 
Mine  ears  thou  hast  opened ; 
Burnt-offering  and  sin-offering  thou  requirest  not. 

7  Therefore  I  said,  "  Lo,  I  come  ; 

In  the  scroll  of  the  book  it  is  prescribed  to  me ; 

8  O  my  God,  to  do  thy  will  is  my  delight. 
And  thy  law  dwelleth  in  my  heart  1 " 

9  I  have  proclaimed  thy  righteousness  in  the  great  assembly ; 
Lo,  I  have  not  restrained  my  lips, 

0  Lord,  thou  knowest ! 

10  I  hide  not  thy  justice  in  my  heart ; 

1  declare  thy  faithfulness  and  thy  salvation ! 

I  conceal  not  thy  mercy  and  truth  from  the  great  assembly. 

11  Withdraw  not  from  me  thy  tender  mercies,  O  Lord  ! 
May  thy  loving-kindness  and  thy  truth  continually  pre- 
serve me ! 

12  For  evils  innumerable  have  encompassed  me  ; 
My  iniquities  have  overtaken  me  ; 

I  cannot  see  the  end  of  them ; 

They  are  more  than  the  hail's  of  my  head, 

And  my  heart  dieth  within  me. 

13  Be  pleased,  O  Lord,  to  deliver  me ! 
O  Lord,  make  haste  to  mine  aid ! 

14  May  they  all  be  confounded  and  covered  with  shame 
Who  seek  to  take  away  my  life  ! 

10* 


114  THE   PSALMS,  [xli. 

Let  them  be  driven  back  with  disgrace 
■     Who  desire  to  do  me  injury  ! 

15  Let  them  be  overwhelmed  with  confusion 
Who  cry  out  to  me,  Aha !  aha ! 

16  But  let  all  who  seek  thee 
Be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thee ! 

Let  those  who  love  thy  protection 
Ever  say,  "  The  Lord  be  praised !  " 

17  I  am  poor  and  afflicted,  yet  the  Lord  thinketh  upon  me ; 
Thou  art  my  help  and  my  deliverer ; 

My  God,  make  no  delay  ! 


PSALM  XLI. 

Prayer  of  one  in  affliction,  whose  enemies  desired  and  plotted  his  destruc- 
tion. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Happy  is  he  who  hath  regard  to  the  poor ! 
The  Lord  will  deliver  him  in  time  of  trouble. 

2  The  Lord  will  preserve  him,  and  keep  him  alive  ; 
He  shall  be  happy  on  the  earth ; 

Thou  wilt  not  give  him  up  to  the  will  of  his  enemies ! 

3  The  Lord  will  strengthen  him  upon  the  bed  of  disease ; 
Thou  wilt  raise  him  up  from  his  sickness ! 

4  I  said,  O  Lord,  be  merciful  to  me  ! 
Heal  me,  for  I  have  sinned  against  thee  ! 

5  My  enemies  speak  evil  of  me ! 

"  When  will  he  die,  and  his  name  perish  ?  " 


XLi.]  THE   PSALMS.  115 

6  If  one  come  to  see  me,  he  speaketh  falsehood ; 
His  heart  gathereth  malice ; 

When  he  goeth  abroad,  he  uttereth  it. 

7  All  that  hate  me  whisper  together  against  me  ; 
Against  me  do  they  devise  mischief : 

8  "  His  base  conduct  cleaveth  to  him  fast ; 
He  lieth  down,  and  he  shall  never  arise ! " 

9  Yea,  my  familiar  friend  in  whom  I  trusted,  who  did  eat 

of  my  bread. 
He  hath  lifted  up  his  heel  against  me. 

10  But  do  thou,  O  Lord,  have  pity  upon  me  ; 
Raise  me  up,  that  I  may  requite  them ! 

11  By  this  I  know  that  thou  favorest  me, 
Because  my  enemy  doth  not  triumph  over  me. 

12  As  for  me,  thou  wilt  uphold  me  in  my  integrity ; 
Thou  wilt  set  me  before  thy  face  for  ever ! 

13  Praised  he  Jehovah,  the  God  of  Israel, 
From  everlasting  to  everlasting.    Amen  !   Amen  ! 


BOOK    II 


PSALM  XLII.,  XLIII. 

The  aspirations  of  an  afflicted  exile  after  the  temple  and  worship  of  God. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  song  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  As  the  hart  panteth  for  the  water-brooks, 
So  panteth  my  soul  for  thee,  O  God ! 

2  My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  the  living  God ; 
When  shall  I  come,  and  appear  before  God  ? 

3  My  tears  have  been  my  food  day  and  night, 

While  they  say  to  me  continually, "  Where  is  thy  God  ?  " 

4  When  I  think  of  it,  I  pour  out  my  soul  in  grief ; 

How  I  once  walked  in  procession  with  the  multitude  to 

the  house  of  God, 
Amid  sounds  of  joy  and  praise  with  the  festive  multitude ! 

5  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God ;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Him,  my  deliverer  and  my  God  ! 

6  My  soul  is  cast  down  within  me. 

While  I  remember  thee  from  the  land  of  Jordan  and 

Hermon, 
From  the  mountain  Mizar. 


XLii.,  XLiii.]  THE   PSALMS.  117 

7  Deep  calleth  for  deep  ;  thy  cataracts  roar ; 

All  thy  waves  and  billows  have  gone  over  me  ! 

8  Once  the  Lord  commanded  his  kindness  by  day, 
And  by  night  his  praise  was  with  me, 
Thanksgiving  to  the  God  of  my  life. 

9  Now  I  say  to  God,  my  rock,  Why  hast  thou  forgotten  me  } 
Why  go  I  mourning  on  account  of  the  oppression  of  the 

enemy  > 

10  The  reproaches  of  the  enemy  are  like  the  crushing  of 

my  bones. 
While  they  say  to  me  continually,"  Where  is  thy  God  }  " 

11  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ! 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  thou  in  God  ;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Him,  my  deliverer  and  my  God  ! 

1  Judge   me,  O   God,  and   defend  my  cause  against  a 

merciless  nation ! 
Deliver  me  from  unjust  and  deceitful  men  ! 

2  Thou  art  the  God  of  my  refuge ;  why  dost  thou  cast  me  off  ? 
Why  go  I  mourning  on  account  of  the  oppression  of  the 

enemy  > 

3  O  send  forth  thy  light  and  thy  truth ;  let  them  guide  me ; 
Let  them    lead   me  to  thy   holy   mountain,  and    to  thy 

dwelling-place  ! 

4  Then  will  I  go  to  the  altar  of  God, 
To  the  God  of  my  joy  and  exultation  ; 

Yea,  upon  the  harp  will  I  praise  thee,  O  God,  my  God  ! 

5  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O  my  soul  ? 
And  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me  ? 
Hope  in  God ;  for  I  shall  yet  praise  him, 
Him,  my  deliverer  and  my  God  ! 


yS  THE   PSALMS.  [xliv. 

PSALM  XLIV. 

Prayer  of  a  pious  Israelite  for  the  relief  of  his  oppressed  and  persecuted 
nation. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  O  God  !  we  have  heard  with  our  ears, 
Our  fathers  have  told  us, 

What  deeds  thou  didst  in  their  days, 
In  the  days  of  old. 

2  With  thine  own  hand  didst  thou  drive  out  the  nations. 
And  plant  our  fathers  ; 

Thou  didst  destroy  the  nations. 
And  cause  our  fathers  to  flourish. 

3  For  not  by  their  own  swords  did  they  gain  possession  of 

the  land. 
Nor  did  their  own  arms  give  them  victory  ; 
But  thy  right  hand,  and  thine  arm,  and  the  light  of  thy 

countenance ; 
For  thou  didst  favor  them  ! 

4  Thou  also  art  my  king,  O  God ! 
O  send  deliverance  to  Jacob ! 

5  Through  thee  we  may  cast  down  our  enemies ; 
Through  thy  name  we  may  trample  upon  our  adversaries ! 

6  I  trust  not  in  my  bow. 

Nor  can  my  sword  save  me. 

7  But  it  is  thou  only  who  savest  us  from  our  enemies. 
And  puttest  to  shame  those  who  hate  us  ! 

8  In  God  will  we  glory  continually ; 
Yea,  we  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever ! 

9  Yet  now  thou  hast  cast  us  off,  and  put  us  to  shame ; 
Thou  goest  not  forth  with  our  armies. 


XLiv.]  THE   PSALMS.  119 

10  Thou  makest  us  turn  back  from  the  enemy, 

And  they  who  hate  us  make  our  goods  their  prey. 

11  Thou  makest  us  hke  sheep,  destined  for  food, 
And  scatterest  us  among  the  nations. 

12  Thou  sellest  thy  people  for  naught, 

And  increasest  not  thy  weaUh  by  their  price. 

13  Thou  makest  us  a  reproach  to  our  neighbours, 

A  scorn  and  a  derision  to  those  who  are  around  us. 

14  Thou  makest  us  a  byword  among  the  nations, 
And  causest  the  people  to  shake  their  heads  at  us. 

15  My  ignominy  is  continually  before  me, 
And  shame  covereth  my  face, 

16  On  account  of  the  voice  of  the  scoffer  and  the  reviler. 
And  on  account  of  the  enemy  and  the  avenger. 

17  All  this  hath  come  upon  us ; 
Yet  have  we  not  forgotten  thee. 

Nor  have  we  been  false  to  thy  covenant. 

18  Our  hearts  have  not  wandered  from  thee, 
Nor  have  our  feet  gone  out  of  thy  path ; 

19  Though  thou  hast  crushed  us  in  a  land  of  jackals, 
And  covered  us  with  thick  darkness. 

20  If  we  had  forgotten  the  name  of  our  God, 

Or  stretched  forth  our  hands  to  a  strange  God, 

21  Surely  God  would  search  it  out. 

For  he  knoweth  the  secrets  of  the  heart. 

22  But  for  thy  sake  we  are  killed  all  the  day ; 
We  are  counted  as  sheep  for  the  slaughter. 

23  Awake  !  why  sleepest  thou,  O  Lord  ? 
Arise  !  cast  us  not  off  for  ever  ! 

24  Wherefore  dost  thou  hide  thy  face. 
And  forget  our  affliction  and  oppression  ? 


120  THE   PSALMS.  [xlv. 

25  Our  soul  is  bowed  down  to  the  dust ; 
Our  body  cleaveth  to  the  earth. 

26  Arise,  O  Thou,  our  strength. 

And  deUver  us,  for  thy  mercy's  sake  ! 


PSALM  XLV. 


The  praises  of  a  king. 


For  the  leader  of  the  music.   To  he  accompanied  with  the  Shoshannim. 
A  lovely  song  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  My  mind  is  overflowing  with  a  pleasant  theme  ; 
I  will  address  my  song  to  the  king  ; 

May  my  tongue  be  like  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer  ! 

2  Thou  art  the  fairest  of  the  sons  of  men  ; 
Grace  is  poured  upon  thy  lips ; 

For  God  hath  blessed  thee  for  ever  ! 

3  Gird  thy  sword  to  thy  thigh,  0  hero, 
Thy  glory  and  ornament ! 

4  In  thy  glorious  array  ride  forth  victoriously. 
On  account  of  truth,  and  mildness,  and  justice  ; 
And  thy  right  hand  shall  teach  thee  terrible  things  ! 

5  Thine  arrows  are  sharp  ; 
Nations  shall  fall  before  thee ; 

They  shall  pierce  the  hearts  of  the  king's  enemies. 

6  Thy  throne  is  God's  for  ever  and  ever ; 

The  sceptre  of  thy  kingdom  is  a  sceptre  of  equity  ! 

7  Thou  lovest  righteousness,  and  hatest  iniquity ; 
Therefore  hath  God,  thy  God,  anointed  thee 
With  the  oil  of  gladness  above  thy  fellows ! 


XLV.]  THE   PSALMS.  121 

8  All  thy  garments  are  myrrh,  aloes,  and  cassia ; 
From  ivory  palaces  stringed  instruments  delight  thee. 

9  Daughters  of  kings  are  among  thy  chosen  women ; 
On  the  right  hand  stands  the  queen 

In  gold  of  Ophir. 

10  Listen,  O  daughter ;  consider,  and  incline  thine  ear ; 
Forget  thy  people  and  thy  father's  house  ! 

11  For  the  king  is  captivated  with  thy  beauty ; 
He  is  now  thy  lord  ;  honor  thou  him  ! 

12  So  shall  the  daughter  of  Tyre  seek  thy  favor  with  gifts, 
The  rich  among  the  people. 

13  All  glorious  is  the  king's  daughter  in  her  apartment ; 
Her  robe  is  embroidered  with  gold. 

14  In  variegated  garments  shall  she  be  led  to  the  king ; 
The  virgin  companions  that  follow  her  shall  be  brought 

unto  thee. 

15  With  gladness  and  rejoicing  shall  they  be  brought ; 
They  shall  enter  the  king's  palace. 

16  Instead  of  thy  fathers  shall  be  thy  children, 
Whom  thou  shalt  make  princes  through  all  the  land. 

17  I  will  make  thy  name  memorable  throughout  all  gen- 

erations ; 
So  shall  the  nations  praise  thee  for  ever  and  ever ! 


11 


122  THE   PSALMS.  [xlvi. 


PSALM  XLVL 

Thanksgiving  for  victory  over  enemies,  and   trust  in  God  as  a  national 
refuge  and  defence. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.      Of,  or  for,  the  sons  of  Korah.     To  he 
sung  in  the  manner,  or  with  the  voice,  of  virgins. 

1  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength ; 
An  ever  present  help  in  trouble. 

2  Therefore  will  we  not  fear,  though  the  earth  be  changed ; 
Though  the  mountains  tremble  in  the  heart  of  the  sea ; 

3  Though  its  waters  roar  and  be  troubled, 

And  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swelling  thereof. 

4  Her   river  with  its  streams  shall   make  glad  the  city 

of  God, 
The  holy  dwelling-place  of  the  Most  High. 

5  God  is  the  midst  of  her,  she  shall  not  be  moved ; 
God  will  help  her,  and  that  full  early. 

6  The  nations  raged  ;  kingdoms  were  moved  ; 
He  uttered  his  voice,  the  earth  melted. 

7  The  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us  ; 
The  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge. 

8  Come,  behold  the  doings  of  the  Lord  ! 
What  desolations  he  hath  made  in  the  earth  ! 

9  He  causeth  wars  to  cease  to  the  end  of  the  earth ; 

He  hath  broken  the  bow,  and  snapped  the  spear  asunder, 
And  burned  the  chariots  in  fire. 
10  "  Desist,  and  know  that  I  am  God  ; 

I  will   be  exalted   among  the  nations,  I  will   be  exalted 
throughout  the  earth  !  " 


XLVii.]  THE   PSALMS.  123 

11      The  Lord  of  hosts  is  with  us  ; 
The  God  of  Jacob  is  our  refuge. 


PSALM  XLVIL 

A  hymn  of  thanksgiving  to  Jehovah,  as  the   giver  of  victory   to  the 
Israelites. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  O  CLAP  your  hands,  all  ye  nations  ! 
Shout  unto  God  with  the  voice  of  triumph  ! 

2  For  terrible  is  Jehovah,  the  Most  High, 
The  great  king  over  all  the  earth. 

3  He  hath  subdued  nations  under  us, 
And  kingdoms  under  our  feet ; 

4  He  hath  chosen  for  us  an  inheritance, 
The  glory  of  Jacob,  whom  he  loved. 

5  God  goeth  up  with  a  shout ; 
Jehovah  with  the  sound  of  the  trumpet. 

6  Sing  praises  to  God,  sing  praises  ! 
Sing  praises  to  our  king,  sing  praises  ! 

7  For  God  is  king  of  all  the  earth  ; 
Sing  to  him  hymns  of  praise  ! 

8  God  reigneth  over  the  nations  ; 
God  sitteth  upon  his  holy  throne. 

9  The  princes  of  the  nations  gather  themselves  together 
To  the  people  of  the  God  of  Abraham  ; 

For  the  mighty  of  the  earth  belong  to  God  ; 
He  is  supremely  exalted. 


124  THE   PSALMS.  [xlviii. 


PSALM   XLVIIL 

A  hymn  of  thanksgiving  for  the  deliverance  of  Jerusalem  from  invading 
enemies. 

A  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  Great  is  Jehovah,  and  greatly  to  be  praised 
In  the  city  of  our  God,  upon  his  holy  mountain. 

2  Beautiful  in  its  elevation  is  Mount  Zion, 
The  joy  of  the  whole  earth  ; 

The  joy  of  the  farthest  North  is  the  city  of  the  great  king ; 

3  In  her  palaces  God  is  known  as  a  refuge. 

4  For,  lo  !  kings  were  assembled  against  it ; 
They  passed  away  together. 

5  As  soon  as  they  saw,  they  were  astonished  ; 
They  were  confounded,  and  hasted  away. 

6  There  terror  seized  upon  them, 
And  pain,  as  of  a  woman  in  travail. 

7  They  were  scattered,  as  by  the  east  wind. 
Which  breaks  in  pieces  the  ships  of  Tarshish. 

8  As  we  have  heard,  so  have  we  seen 

In  the  city  of  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  the  city  of  our  God  ; 
God  will  establish  it  for  ever. 

9  We  think  of  thy  loving-kindness,  O  God, 
In  the  midst  of  thy  temple  ! 

10  As  thy  name,  O  God,  so  thy  praise,  extendeth  to  the  ends 

of  the  earth; 
Thy  right  hand  is  full  of  righteousness ! 

11  Mount  Zion  rejoiceth. 

The  daughters  of  Judah  exult. 

On  account  of  thy  righteous  judgments. 


XLix.]  THE   PSALMS.  125 

12  Go  round  about  Zion  ;  number  her  towers  ; 

13  Mark  well  her  bulwarks  ;  count  her  palaces ; 
That  ye  may  tell  it  to  the  next  generation  ! 

14  For  this  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever ; 
He  will  be  our  guide  unto  death. 


PSALM  XLIX. 

The  condition  of  the  righteous  and  the  wicked.  The  rich  oppressor  not  to 
be  envied.  The  comfort  of  the  virtuous,  when  they  are  oppressed,  in 
the  consideration  that  God  is  their  friend. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  Hear  this,  all  ye  nations  ; 

Give  ear,  all  ye  inhabitants  of  the  world  ; 

2  Both  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor  alike  ! 

3  My  mouth  shall  speak  wisdom, 

And  the  meditation  of  my  mind  shall  be  understanding. 

4  I  will  incline  mine  ear  to  a  poem  ; 
I  will  utter  my  song  upon  the  harp. 

5  Why  should  I  fear  in  the  days  of  adversity, 
When  the  iniquity  of  the  insidious  encompasseth  me  ; 

6  They,  that  trust  in  their  riches, 

And  glory  in  the  greatness  of  their  wealth  ? 

7  No  one  can  redeem  his  brother  from  death, 
Nor  give  a  ransom  for  him  to  God, 

9  That  he  should  live  to  eternity, 
And  not  see  the  pit. 

8  Too  costly  is  the  redemption  of  his  life, 
And  he  giveth  it  up  for  ever. 

11* 


126  THE   PSALMS.  [xlix. 

10  For  he  seeth  that  wise  men  die, 

As  well  as  the  foolish  and  the  ignorant ; 

They  perish  alike, 

And  leave  their  wealth  to  others. 

11  They  imagine  that  their  houses  will  endure  for  ever, 
And  their  dwelling-places  from  generation  to  generation, 
And  that  their  names  will  be  celebrated  on  the  earth. 

12  Yet  man,  who  is  in  honor,  abideth  not ; 
He  is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 

13  Such  is  the  way  which  is  their  confidence  ! 

And  they  who  come  after  them  approve  their  maxims. 

14  Like  sheep  they  are  cast  into  the  underworld  ; 
Death  shall  feed  upon  them  ; 

And  the  upright  shall  soon  trample  upon  them. 
Their  form  shall  be  consumed  in  the  underworld. 
And  they  shall  no  more  have  a  dwelling-place  ; 

15  But  God  will  redeem  my  life  from  the  underworld  ; 
Yea,  he  will  take  me  under  his  protection. 

16  Be  not  thou  afraid,  when  one  becomes  rich  ; 
When  the  glory  of  his  house  is  increased ! 

17  For  when  he  dieth,  he  will  carry  nothing  away ; 
His  glory  will  not  descend  after  him. 

18  Though  in  his  life  he  thought  himself  happy, — 
Though  men  praised  thee,  while  thou  wast  in  prosperity, — 

19  Yet  shalt  thou  go  to  the  dwelling-place  of  thy  fathers. 
Who  never  more  shall  see  the  light ! 

20  The  man  who  is  in  honor,  but  without  understanding, 
Is  like  the  beasts  that  perish. 


L.]  THE   PSALMS.  ^  127 


PSALM  L. 

The  true  way  of  serving  God  5  or,  outward  forms  of  no  avail  without  in- 
ternal rectitude. 

A  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  The  mighty  God,  Jehovah,  speaketh,  and  calleth  the 

earth, 
From  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun. 

2  Out  of  Zion,  the  perfection  of  beauty, 
God  shineth  forth. 

3  Our  God  Cometh,  and  will  not  be  silent ; 
Before  him  is  a  devouring  fire. 

And  around  him  a  raging  tempest. 

4  He  calleth  to  the  heavens  on  high. 

And  to  the  earth,  while  he  judgeth  his  people  : 

5  "  Gather  together  my  worshippers  before  me, 
Who  have  made  a  covenant  with  me  by  sacrifice  !  " 

6  (And  the  heavens  shall  declare  his  righteousness, 
For  it  is  God  himself  that  is  judge.) 

7  "  Hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  speak  ! 
O  Israel,  and  I  will  admonish  thee  ! 

For  I  am  God,  thine  own  God. 

8  I  reprove  thee  not  on  account  of  thy  sacrifices  ; 
For  thy  burnt-oflTerings  are  ever  before  me. 

9  I  will  take  no  bullock  from  thy  house. 
Nor  he-goat  from  thy  folds  ; 

10  For  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest  are  mine, 
And  the  cattle  on  a  thousand  hills. 

11  I  know  all  the  birds  of  the  mountains. 

And  the  wild  beasts  of  the  field  are  before  me. 


128  THE   PSALMS.  [u 

12  If  I  were  hungry,  I  would  not  tell  thee  ; 
For  the  world  is  mine,  and  all  that  is  therein. 

13  Do  I  eat  the  flesh  of  bulls. 
Or  drink  the  blood  of  goats  ? 

14  Offer  to  God  thanksgiving. 

And  pay  thy  vows  to  the  Most  High  ! 

15  Then  call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble, 

I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me  !  " 

16  And  to  the  wicked  God  saith, 

"  To  what  purpose  dost  thou  talk  of  my  statutes  ? 
And  why  hast  thou  my  laws  upon  thy  lips  ? 

17  Thou,  that  hatest  instruction 

And  castest  my  words  behind  thee  ! 

18  When  thou  seest  a  thief,  thou  art  in  friendship  with  him. 
And  hast  fellowship  with  adulterers. 

19  Thou  lettest  loose  thy  mouth  to  evil, 
And  thy  tongue  frameth  deceit; 

20  Thou  sittest  and  speakest  against  thy  brother; 
Thou  slanderest  thine  own  mother's  son. 

21  These  things  hast  thou  done,  and  I  kept  silence ; 
Hence  thou  thoughtest  that  I  was  altogether  like  thyself; 
But  I  will  reprove  thee,  and  set  them  in  order  before  thee. 

22  Mark  this,  ye  that  forget  God, 

Lest  1  tear  you  in  pieces,  and  none  deliver  you  ! 

23  "  Whoso  offcreth  praise  honoreth  me  ; 
And  to  him  who  hath  regard  to  his  ways 
Will  I  show  salvation  from  God." 


LI.]  THE  PSALMS.  129 


PSALM   LI. 

A  prayer  for  forgiveness  of  sins. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  fsalm  of  David,  ichen  JVathan  the 
prophet  came  unto  him,  after  his  intercourse  with  Bathshcha. 

1  Be  gracious  to  me,  O  God,  according  to  thy  loving- 

kindness  ; 
According  to  the  greatness  of  thy  mercy,  blot  out  my 
transgressions  ! 

2  Wash  me  thoroughly  from  my  iniquity, 
And  cleanse  me  from  my  sin  ! 

3  For  I  acknowledge  my  transgressions. 
And  my  sin  is  ever  before  me. 

4  Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I  sinned, 
And  in  thy  sight  have  I  done  this  evil ; 
So  that  thou  art  just  in  thy  sentence. 
And  upright  in  thy  judgment. 

5  Behold  !  I  was  born  in  iniquity. 

And  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me. 

6  Behold  !  thou  desirest  truth  in  the  heart ; 
So  teach  me  wisdom  in  my  inmost  soul ! 

7  Purge  me  with  hyssop,  until  I  be  clean ; 
Wash  me,  until  I  be  whiter  than  snow  ! 

8  Make  me  to  hear  joy  and  gladness. 

So  that  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice ! 

9  Hide  thy  face  from  my  sins. 
And  blot  out  all  my  iniquities  ! 

10  Create  within  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God  ! 
Renew  within  me  a  steadfast  mind  ! 

11  Cast  me  not  away  from  thy  presence, 
And  take  not  thy  holy  spirit  from  me  ! 


130  THE   PSALMS.  [lii. 

12  Restore  to  me  the  joy  of  thy  protection, 
And  may  a  free  spirit  sustain  me  ! 

13  Then  will  I  teach  thy  ways  to  transgressors, 
And  sinners  shall  be  converted  to  thee. 

14  Deliver  me  from  the  guilt  of  blood,  O  God,  the  God  of 

my  salvation, 
That  my  tongue  may  sing  aloud  of  thy  goodness  ! 

15  O  Lord  !  open  thou  my  lips, 

That  my  mouth  may  show  forth  thy  praise ! 

16  For  thou  desirest  not  sacrifice,  else  would  I  give  it ; 
Thou  delightest  not  in  burnt-offerings. 

17  The  sacrifice  which  God  loveth  is  a  broken  spirit ; 

A  broken  and  contrite  heart,  O  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise ! 

18  Do  good  to  Zion  according  to  thy  mercy  ; 
Build  up  the  walls  of  Jerusalem  ! 

19  Then  shalt  thou  be  pleased  with  right  sacrifices, 
With  whole  burnt-offerings ; 

Then  shall  bullocks  be  offered  upon  thine  altar. 


PSALM  LII. 

Remonstrance  against  a  proud  and  malignant  enemy,  and  prediction  of  his 
downfall. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.  A  psalm  of  David^  ichen  Doeg,  the 
Edomite,  came  and  told  Saulj  and  said  to  him^  David  is  come  to 
the  house  of  Ahimclech. 

1      Why  gloriest  thou  in  mischief,  thou  man  of  violence  } 
The  goodness  of  God  yet  continueth  daily. 


Liii.]  THE   PSALMS.  131 

2  Thy  tongue  deviseth  mischiefs, 

Like  a  sharp  razor,  thou  contriver  of  deceit ! 

3  Thou  lovest  evil  more  than  good, 
And  lying  more  than  to  speak  truth. 

4  Thou  lovest  all  devouring  words, 

0  thou  deceitful  tongue  ! 

5  Thee  also  shall  God  utterly  destroy  ! 

He  shall  seize  thee,  and  tear  thee  from  thy  dwelling-place, 
And  uproot  thee  from  the  land  of  the  living. 

6  The  righteous  shall  see  and  fear. 
And  make  him  a  subject  of  scorn. 

7  "  Behold  the  man  that  made  not  God  his  strength. 
But  trusted  in  the  abundance  of  his  riches, 

And  placed  his  strength  in  his  wickedness." 

8  But  I  shall  be  like  a  green  olive-tree  in  the  house  of  God  ; 

1  will  trust  in  the  goodness  of  God  for  ever  and  ever. 

9  I  will  ever  praise  thee  for  what  thou  hast  done  ; 
I  will  trust  in  thee  on  account  of  thy  goodness 
Before  the  eyes  of  thy  worshippers  ! 


PSALM  LIII. 

Complaintof  the  wickedness  of  men;  uttered,  probably,  by  one  living  under 
severe  oppression  in  a  foreign  land,  whither  he  had  been  carried  captive. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.      To  he  s^ing  on  wind  instruments. 

1      The  fool  saith  in  his  heart,  "  There  is  no  God  !  " 
They  are  corrupt;  their  doings  are  abominable  ; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good. 


132  THE   PSALMS.  [liv. 

2  God  looketh  down  from  heaven  upon  the  children  of  men, 
To  see  if  there  are  any  that  have  understanding, 

That  have  regard  to  God. 

3  They  are  all  gone  astray ;  they  are  every  one  corrupt ; 
There  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no,  not  one. 

4  Shall  not  the  evil-doers  be  requited, 
Who  eat  up  my  people  like  bread, 
And  call  not  upon  God  ? 

5  Yea !  there  shall  fear  come  upon  them. 
Where  no  fear  is  ; 

For  God  will  scatter  the  bones  of  him  that  encampeth 

against  thee ; 
Thou  shalt  put  them  to  shame,  for  God  despiseth  them  ! 

6  O  that  salvation  for  Israel  would  come  out  of  Zion  ! 
When  God  bringeth  back  the  captives  of  his  people, 
Jacob  shall  rejoice  and  Israel  be  glad. 


PSALM  LIV. 


A  prayer  against  enemies. 


For  the  leader  of  the  music.  To  he  sung  on  stringed  instruments. 
A  psalm  of  David,,  when  the  Ziphites  came  and  said  to  Said,  Doth 
not  David  hide  himself  with  us  ? 

1  Save  me,  O  God,  by  thy  name, 
And  by  thy  strength  defend  my  cause  ! 

2  O  God,  hear  my  prayer, 

Give  ear  to  the  words  of  my  mouth  ! 

3  For  enemies  have  risen  up  against  me, 
And  oppressors  seek  my  life  ; 

They  have  not  set  God  before  them. 


LV.]  THE   PSALMS.  I33 

4  Behold !     God  is  my  helper  ; 
The  Lord  is  the  support  of  my  life. 

5  He  will  repay  evil  to  my  enemies  ; 

For  thy  truth's  sake,  O  God,  cut  them  off! 

6  With  a  willing  heart  will  I  sacrifice  to  thee  ; 

I  will  praise  thy  name,  O  Lord  !  for  it  is  good  ; 

7  For  thou  hast  delivered  me  from  all  trouble. 

So  that  my  eye  hath  looked  with  satisfaction  upon  my 
enemies  ! 


PSALM  LV. 

A  prayer  against  enemies,  especially  against  a  treacherous  friend. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     To  he  sung  on  stringed  instruments. 
A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Give  ear  to  my  prayer,  O  God  ! 
Hide  not  thyself  from  my  supplication ! 

2  Attend  unto  me  and  hear  me  ! 

I  wander  about  mourning  and  wailing, 

3  On  account  of  the  clamors  of  the  enemy. 
On  account  of  the  violence  of  the  wicked. 
For  they  bring  evil  upon  me, 

And  in  wrath  set  themselves  against  me. 

4  My  heart  trembleth  in  my  bosom, 

And  the  terrors  of  death  have  fallen  upon  me. 

5  Fear  and  trembling  have  seized  me, 
And  horror  hath  overwhelmed  me. 

6  O,  think  I,  that  I  had  wings  like  a  dove  ! 
For  then  would  I  fly  away,  and  be  at  rest. 

7  Behold,  I  would  wander  far  away. 
And  take  up  my  abode  in  a  wilderness. 

12 


134  THE   PSALMS.  [lv. 

8  I  would  hasten  away  to  a  shelter 
From  the  rushing  wind  and  tempest. 

9  Confound,  O  Lord,  divide  their  counsels  ! 
For  I  behold  violence  and  strife  in  the  city. 

10  Day  and  night  do  these  go  about  its  walls  ; 
In  the  midst  of  it  are  iniquity  and  mischief. 

11  Wickedness  is  in  the  midst  of  it ; 
Oppression  and  fraud  depart  not  from  its  streets. 

12  It  was  not  an  enemy  that  reviled  me, 
Then  I  could  have  borne  it ; 

Nor  one  that  hated  me,  who  rose  up  against  me ; 
From  him  I  could  have  hid  myself. 

13  But  it  was  thou,  a  man  regarded  as  my  equal. 
My  friend  and  my  acquaintance ; 

14  We  held  sweet  converse  together. 

And  walked  to  the  house  of  God  in  company. 

15  May  sudden  death  seize  upon  them  ! 

May  they  go  down  to  the  underworld  alive ! 

For  wickedness  is  in  their  dwellings,  in  the  midst  of  them. 

16  As  for  me,  I  will  call  upon  God, 
And  Jehovah  will  save  me. 

17  At  evening,  at  morn,  and  at  noon  I  mourn  and  sigh. 
And  he  will  hear  my  voice. 

18  He  will  deliver  me  in  peace  from  my  conflict ; 
For  many  have  risen  up  against  me. 

19  God  will  hear  me  and  bring  them  down. 
He  that  hath  been  judge  of  old. 
Because  they  have  had  no  reverses, 
Therefore  they  have  no  fear  of  God. 


LVi.]  THE   PSALMS.  I35 

20  They  lift  up  their  hands  against  their  friend, 
And  break  their  covenant  with  him. 

21  Their  speech  was  softer  than  butler, 
But  war  was  in  their  heart ; 

Their  words  were  smoother  than  oil, 
Yet  were  they  drawn  swords. 

22  "  Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  will  sustain  thee ; 
He  will  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  fall !  " 

23  Yea,  thou,  O  God,  wilt  bring  them  down  into  the  lowest  pit! 
Bloody  and  deceitful  men  shall  not  live  out  half  their  days. 
But  I  will  trust  in  thee  ! 


PSALM  LVI. 

A  prayer  for  help  by  one  surrounded  by  enemies. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.  To  he  sung  to  the  tune  of  "  The  dumb 
dove  among  strangers."  A  psalm  of  Davidy  zchen  the  Philistines 
took  him  in  Gath. 

1  Have  pity  upon  me,  O  God,  for  man  panteth  for  my  life ; 
My  adversary  daily  oppresseth  me  ! 

2  Mine  enemies  daily  pant  for  my  life. 

And  many  are  they  who  war  proudly  against  me. 

3  When  I  am  in  fear, 

I  will  put  my  trust  in  thee  ! 

4  I  will  glory  in  the  promise  of  God  ; 

In  God  do  I  put  my  trust ;  I  will  not  fear ; 
What  can  flesh  do  to  me  ? 
6  Every  day  they  wrest  my  words ; 
All  their  thoughts  are  against  me  for  evil. 


136  THE   PSALMS.  [lvii. 

6  They  gather  themselves  together,  they  hide  themselves, 

they  watch  my  steps. 
Lying  in  wait  for  my  life. 

7  Shall  they  escape  by  their  iniquity  ? 

In  thine  anger  cast  down  the  people,  O  God  ! 

8  Count  thou  my  wanderings  ; 
Put  my  tears  into  thy  bottle  ! 

Are  they  not  recorded  in  thy  book  ? 

9  When  I  cry  to  thee,  my  enemies  shall  turn  back  ; 
This  I  know,  that  God  is  for  me. 

10  I  will  glory  in  the  promise  of  God  ; 

I  will  glory  in  the  promise  of  Jehovah. 

11  In  God  do  I  put  my  trust ;  I  will  not  fear  ; 
What  can  man  do  to  me  ? 

12  Thy  vows  are  upon  me,  O  God  ! 
I  will  render  praises  to  thee  ! 

13  For  thou  hast  delivered  me  from  death  ; 
Yea,  my  feet  from  falling  ; 

That  I  may  walk  before  God  in  the  light  of  the  living. 


PSALM  LVII. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     To  he  sung  to  the  tune  of  "  Do  not  de- 
stroy.''   A  jJsalm  of  David.,  when  he  fled  from  Saul  in  the  cave. 

1  Have  pity  upon  me,  O  God,  have  pity  upon  me. 
For  in  thee  doth  my  soul  seek  refuge  ! 

Yea,  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  do  I  take  shelter, 
Until  these  calamities  be  overpast ! 

2  I  call  upon  God  the  Most  High, 

Upon  God,  who  performeth  all  things  for  me  ; 


Lvii.]  THE   PSALMS.  137 

3  He  will  send  from  heaven,  and  save  me  ; 

He  will  put  to  shame  him  that  panteth  for  my  life ; 
God  will  send  forth  his  mercy  and  his  truth. 

4  My  life  is  in  the  midst  of  lions ; 

I  dwell  among  them  that  breathe  out  fire  ; 
Among  men  whose  teeth  are  spears  and  arrows, 
And  whose  tongue  is  a  sharp  sword. 

6      Exalt  thyself,  O  God,  above  the  heavens, 
And  thy  glory  above  all  the  earth  ! 

6  They  have  prepared  a  net  for  my  steps  ; 
My  soul  is  bowed  down  ; 

They  have  digged  a  pit  before  me, 
But  into  it  they  have  themselves  fallen. 

7  My  heart  is  strengthened,  O  God,  my  heart  is  strength- 

ened! 
I  will  sing  and  give  thanks. 

5  Awake,  my  soul !  awake,  psaltery  and  harp  ! 
I  will  wake  with  the  early  dawn. 

9  I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  nations ; 
I  will  sing  to  thee  among  the  kingdoms  ! 

10  For  thy  mercy  reacheth  to  the  heavens. 
And  thy  truth  to  the  clouds  ! 

11  Exalt  thyself,  O  God,  above  the  heavens, 
And  thy  glory  above  all  the  earth  ! 


12 


138  THE   PSALMS.  [lviii. 

PSALM  LVIII. 

An  invective  against  wicked  rulers.  Prayers  and  hopes  for  their  destruction. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     To  the  tune  of  '•'-Do  not  destroy.^'     A 
psalm  of  David. 

1  Do  ye,  indeed,  administer  justice  faithfully,  ye  mighty 

ones  ? 
Do  ye  judge  with  uprightness,  ye  sons  of  men  ? 

2  Nay,  in  your  hearts  ye  contrive  iniquity  ; 
Your  hands  weigh  out  violence  in  the  land  ! 

3  The  wicked  are  estranged,  from  their  very  birth  ; 
The  liars  go  astray,  as  soon  as  they  are  born. 

4  They  have  poison,  like  the  poison  of  a  serpent; 
Like  the  deaf  adder's,  which  stoppeth  her  ear ; 

5  Which  listeneth  not  to  the  voice  of  the  charmer, 
And  of  the  sorcerer,  skilful  in  incantations. 

6  Break  their  teeth,  O  God,  in  their  mouths  ! 
Break  out  the  great  teeth  of  the  lions,  0  Lord  ! 

7  May  they  melt  away  like  a  stream  of  water  ; 
When  they  aim  their  arrows,  may  they  be  broken  ! 

8  May  they  be  like  the  snail,  which  melts  away  as  it  goes; 
Like  the  abortion  of  a  woman,  that  seeth  not  the  sun  ! 

9  Before  your  pots  feel  the  heat  of  the  thorns, 
Whether  fresh,  or  burning,  may  they  be  blown  away  ! 

10  The  righteous  shall  rejoice,  when  he  seeth  such  vengeance ; 
He  shall  bathe  his  feet  in  the  blood  of  the  wicked. 

11  Then  shall  men  say,  "  Truly  there  is  a  reward  for  the 

righteous  ! 
Truly  there  is  a  God  who  is  judge  upon  the  earth !  " 


Lix.]  THE   PSALMS.  139 


PSALM   LIX. 

The  contents  of  this  psalm  seem  much  better  suited  to  a  case  of  invasion 
from  heathen  enemies,  than  to  the  case  referred  to  in  the  Hebrew  in- 
scription.   See  verse  5. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.  To  the  tune  of  "  Do  not  destroy.'"  A 
psalm  of  Davidy  when  Saul  sent^  and  they  watched  the  house  to 
kill  him. 

1  Deliver  me  from  my  enemies,  O  my  God  ! 
Defend  me  from  them  that  rise  up  against  me ! 

2  Deliver  me  from  the  doers  of  iniquity, 
And  save  me  from  men  of  blood  ! 

3  For,  lo !  they  lie  in  wait  for  my  life  ; 
The  mighty  are  gathered  against  me, 

Without  any  offence  or  fault  of  mine,  O  Jehovah ! 

4  Without  any  offence  of  mine  they  run  and  prepare  them- 

selves ; 
Awake  to  help  me,  and  behold  ! 

5  Do  thou,  O  Jehovah,  God  of  hosts,  God  of  Israel, 
Awake  to  punish  all  the  nations ! 

Show  no  mercy  to  any  wicked  transgressors ! 

6  Let  them  return  at  evening. 
Let  them  howl  like  dogs, 
And  go  round  about  the  city  ! 

7  Behold  !  with  their  mouths  they  belch  out  mahce ; 
Swords  are  upon  their  lips ; 

"  For  who,"  say  they,  "  will  hear  ?  " 

8  Yet  thou,  O  Lord,  wilt  laugh  at  them  ; 
Thou  wilt  hold  all  the  nations  in  derision  ! 

9  O  my  Strength,  to  thee  will  I  look ! 
For  God  is  my  defence  ; 


140  THE  PSALMS.  [lix. 

10  My  merciful  God  will  come  to  my  aid  ; 

God  will  let  me  look  with  joy  upon  my  enemies. 

11  Slay  them  not,  lest  my  people  forget ; 
Scatter  them  by  thy  power,  and  cast  them  down, 
O  Lord,  our  shield  ! 

12  All  the  words  of  their  lips  are  sin ; 
Let  them  be  overtaken  in  their  pride. 

For  the  curses  and  the  falsehood  which  they  utter  ! 

13  Consume  them  in  thy  wrath ;  consume  them  that  they  be 

no  more, 
That  they  may  know  that  God  ruleth  in  Jacob, 
Even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  ! 

14  Let  them  return  at  evening. 
Let  them  howl  like  dogs. 
And  go  round  about  the  city  ! 

15  Let  them  wander  about  for  food. 

When  they  have  passed  the  night  unsatisfied ! 

16  But  I  will  sing  of  thy  power ; 

Yea,  in  the  morning  will  I  sing  aloud  of  thy  mercy ; 
For  thou  hast  been  my  defence. 
My  refuge  in  the  day  of  my  distress. 

17  To  thee,  O  my  Strength,  will  I  sing ! 

For  God  is  my  defence  ;  a  God  of  mercy  to  me. 


LX.]  THE   PSALMS.  141 


PSALM  LX. 

Prayer  for  success,  and  hopes  of  victory  and  conquest  in  a  very  disastrous 
state  of  public  affairs. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music  ;  upon  the  Shushan-Eduth  ;  a  psalm  of 
David  for  instruction  ;  when  he  was  at  strife  with  the  Syrians  of 
Mesopotamia,  and  the  Syrians  of  Zoha  ;  when  Joah  returned  and 
smote  twelve  thousand  Edomites  in  the  valley  of  Salt. 

1  O  God,  thou  hast  forsaken  us  ;  thou  hast  broken  us  in 

pieces  ; 
Thou  hast  been  angry !  O  revive  us  again ! 

2  Thou  hast  made  the  land  tremble ;  thou  hast  rent  it ; 

0  heal  its  breaches,  for  it  tottereth  ! 

3  Thou  hast  caused  thy  people  to  see  hard  things ; 
Thou  hast  made  us  drink  the  wine  of  reeling. 

4  Lift  up  a  banner  for  them  that  fear  thee. 

For  the  sake  of  thy  faithfulness,  that  they  may  escape  ! 

5  That  thy  beloved  may  be  delivered, 
Save  with  thy  right  hand,  and  answer  me  ! 

6  God  promiseth  in  his  holiness  ;  I  will  rejoice ; 

1  shall  yet  divide  Shechem, 

And  measure  out  the  valley  of  Succoth. 

7  Gilead  shall  be  mine,  and  mine  Manasseh ; 
Ephraim  shall  be  my  helmet. 

And  Judah  my  sceptre  ; 

8  Moab  shall  be  my  wash-bowl ; 
Upon  Edom  shall  I  cast  my  shoe ; 
I  shall  triumph  over  Philistia ! 

9  Who  will  bring  me  to  the  strong  city  .'' 
Who  will  lead  me  into  Edom  ? 


142  THE  PSALMS.  [lxi. 

10  Wilt  not  thou,  O  God,  who  didst  forsake  us, 
And  didst  not  go  forth  with  our  armies  ? 

11  Give  us  thine  aid  in  our  distress. 
For  vain  is  the  help  of  man ! 

12  Through  God  we  shall  do  valiantly ; 
For  he  will  tread  down  our  enemies. 


PSALM  LXI. 

A  prayer  of  an  exile  for  help,  for  restoration  to  his  native  land,  and  for  the 
health  and  prosperity  of  the  king. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     To  he  sung  upon  stringed  instruments. 
A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Hear  my  cry,  O  God  ! 
Attend  to  my  prayer ! 

2  From  the  extremity  of  the  land  I  cry  unto  thee  in  deep 

sorrow  of  heart ; 
Lead  me  to  the  rock  that  is  high  above  me ! 

3  For  thou  art  my  refuge, 

My  strong  tower  against  the  enemy. 

4  I  shall  dwell  in  thy  tabernacle  for  ever  ; 

I  will  seek  refuge  under  the  covert  of  thy  wings. 

5  For  thou,  O  God,  wilt  hear  my  vows, 

And  give  me  the  inheritance  of  those  who  fear  thy  name. 

6  O  prolong  the  life  of  the  king  ! 

May  his  years  extend  through  many  generations ! 

7  May  he  reign  for  ever  before  God  ! 

Grant  that  mercy  and  truth  may  preserve  him ! 

8  So  will  I  sing  praise  to  thy  name  for  ever  ; 
I  will  daily  perform  my  vows. 


LXii.]  THE  PSALMS.  I43 

PSALM   LXII. 

Trust  in  God  in  circumstances  of  distress. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music  of  the  Jeduthunites.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  On  God  alone  my  soul  reposeth ; 
From  him  comelh  my  deliverance  ! 

2  He  alone  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation ; 

He  is  my  safeguard,  I  shall  not  wholly  fall ! 

3  How  long  will  ye  continue  to  assault  a  single  man  ? 
How  long  will  ye  all  seek  to  destroy  me, 

Like  a  bending  wall,  or  a  tottering  fence  ? 

4  They  study  how  to  cast  me  down  from  my  eminence  ; 
They  delight  in  falsehood  ; 

They  bless  with  their  mouths,  but  in  their  hearts  they 
curse. 

5  My  soul,  repose  thou  on  God  alone. 
For  from  him  cometh  my  hope  ! 

6  He  alone  is  my  rock  and  my  salvation  ; 
He  is  my  safeguard,  I  shall  not  fall. 

7  From  God  cometh  my  help  and  my  glory ; 
My  strong  rock,  my  refuge,  is  God. 

8  Trust  in  him  at  all  times,  ye  people  ! 
Pour  out  your  hearts  before  him  ! 
God  is  our  refuge  ! 

9  Truly  men  of  low  degree  are  vanity. 
And  men  of  high  degree  are  a  lie  ; 
Placed  in  the  balance. 

They  are  all  lighter  than  vanity. 


144  THE   PSALMS.  [lxiii. 

10  Trust  not  in  extortion ; 

Place  no  vain  hopes  in  rapine ! 

If  riches  increase,  set  not  your  heart  upon  them  ! 

11  Once  hath  God  promised,  twice  have  I  heard  it, 
That  power  belongeth  unto  God. 

12  To  thee  also,  O  Lord,  belongeth  mercy, 

For  thou  dost  render  to  every  man  according  to  his  work ! 


PSALM  LXin. 

Aspirations  after  God,  and  confidence  in  his  protection.  Supposed  to 
have  reference  to  the  circumstances  of  David  during  the  rebellion  of 
Absalom. 

A  psalm  of  Davidy  when  he  icas  in  the  wilderness  of  Judah. 

1  O  God,  thou  art  my  God  !  earnestly  do  I  seek  thee  ! 
My  soul  thirsteth,  my  flesh  longeth  for  thee, 

In  a  dry,  thirsty  land,  where  is  no  water ! 

2  Thus  I  look  toward  thee  in  thy  sanctuary, 
To  behold  thy  power  and  thy  glory  ! 

3  For  thy  loving-kindness  is  better  than  life  ; 
Therefore  my  lips  shall  praise  thee  ! 

4  Thus  will  I  bless  thee,  while  I  live  ; 
In  thy  name  will  I  lift  up  my  hands ! 

6  My  soul  shall  be  satisfied  as  with  marrow  and  fatness, 
And  with  joyful  lips  my  mouth  shall  praise  thee  ! 

6  When  I  think  of  thee  upon  my  bed, 
And  meditate  on  thee  in  the  night-watches, 

7  For  thou  art  my  help. 

And  in  the  shadow  of  thy  wings  I  rejoice, 

8  My  soul  cleaveth  to  thee ; 
Thy  right  hand  holdeth  me  up. 


LXiv.]  THE   PSALMS.  I45 

9  While  they  who  seek  to  destroy  my  hfe 
Shall  themselves  go  down  into  the  depths  of  the  earth ; 

10  They  shall  be  given  up  to  the  sword, 
And  be  a  portion  for  jackals. 

11  But  the  king  shall  rejoice  in  God  ; 

All  that  swear  by  him  shall  be  honored ; 
But  the  mouth  of  liars  shall  be  stopped. 


PSALM  LXIV. 

Prayer  for  protection  from  enemies.     Supposed  to  refer  to  David's  calum- 
niators in  the  court  of  Saul,  or  during  the  rebellion  of  Absalom. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.    A  psalm  of  David. 

Hear  my  voice,  O  God,  when  I  pray  ! 
Preserve  my  life  from  the  terrors  of  the  enemy  ! 

2  Hide  me  from  the  assembly  of  the  wicked. 
From  the  brawling  crowd  of  evil-doers ! 

3  For  they  sharpen  their  tongues  like  a  sword, 
They  aim  their  poisoned  words  like  arrows, 

4  To  shoot  in  secret  at  the  upright ; 
Suddenly  do  they  shoot  at  him  without  fear. 

5  They  prepare  themselves  for  an  evil  deed  ; 
They  commune  of  laying  secret  snares : 

"  Who,"  say  they,  "  will  see  them  ?  " 

6  They  meditate  crimes  :  "  We  have  finished,"  say  they, 

"  our  plans !  " 
The  heart  and  bosom  of  every  one  of  them  are  deep. 

7  But  God  will  shoot  an  arrow  at  them  ; 
Suddenly  shall  they  be  wounded. 

13 


146  THE    PSALMS.  [lxv. 

8  Thus  their  own  tongues  shall  bring  them  down  ; 
All  who  see  them  will  flee  away. 

9  Then  will  all  men  stand  in  awe, 
And  declare  what  God  hath  done, 
And  attentively  consider  his  work. 

10  The  righteous  shall  rejoice,  and  trust  in  the  Lord  ; 
All  the  upright  in  heart  shall  glory. 


PSALM  LXV. 

Trust  in  the  power  and  goodness  of  God. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.    A  psalm  of  David. 

1  To  thee  belongeth  trust,  to  thee  praise,  O  God  in  Zion, 
And  to  thee  shall  the  vow  be  performed ! 

2  O  Thou  that  hearest  prayer. 
To  thee  shall  all  flesh  come  ! 

3  My  iniquities  are  heavy  upon  me  ; 

But  thou  wilt  forgive  our  transgressions  ! 

4  Happy  is  he  whom  thou  choosest. 

And  bringest  near  thee  to  dwell  in  thy  courts  ! 
May  we  be  satisfied  with  the  blessings  of  thy  house. 
Thy  holy  temple  ! 

5  By  wonderful  deeds  dost  thou  answer  us  in  thy  goodness, 
O  God,  our  salvation. 

Who  art  the  confidence  of  all  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
And  of  the  most  distant  seas ! 

6  Thou  makest  fast  the  mountains  by  thy  power, 
Being  girded  with  strength  ! 


Lxvi.]  THE    PSALMS.  I47 

7  Thou  stillest  the  roar  of  the  sea, 
The  roar  of  its  waves, 

And  the  tumult  of  the  nations. 

8  They  who  dwell  in  the  ends  of  the  earth  are  awed  by  thy 

signs ; 
Thou  makest  the  regions  of  the  morning  and  of  the  even- 
ing to  rejoice  ! 

9  Thou  visitest  the  earth  and  waterest  it ; 
Thou  enrichest  it  exceedingly  ; 

The  river  of  God  is  full  of  water. 
Thou  suppliest  the  earth  with  corn. 
When  thou  hast  thus  prepared  it. 

10  Thou  waterest  its  furrows, 
And  breakest  down  its  ridges  ; 
Thou  makest  it  soft  with  showers, 
And  blessest  its  increase. 

11  Thou  crownest  the  year  with  thy  goodness ; 
Thy  footsteps  drop  fruitfulness  ; 

12  They  drop  it  upon  the  pastures  of  the  wilderness. 
And  the  hills  are  girded  with  gladness. 

13  The  pastures  are  clothed  with  flocks, 
And  the  valleys  are  covered  with  corn ; 
They  shout,  yea,  they  sing  for  joy. 


PSALM  LXVI. 

Thanksgiving  to  God  after  deliverance  from  great  distress. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.     Jl  psalm. 

1  Shout  joyfully  unto  God,  all  ye  lands  ! 

2  Sing  ye  the  honor  of  his  name  ; 
Make  his  praise  glorious  ! 


148  THE   PSALMS.  [lxvi. 

3  Say  unto  God,  How  terrible  are  thy  doings  ! 

Through  the  greatness  of  thy  power  thine  enemies  are 
suppliants  to  thee ! 

4  Let  all  the  earth  worship  thee  ; 

Let  it  sing  praise  to  thee,  let  it  sing  praise  to  thy  name  ! 

5  Come,  behold  the  works  of  God  ! 

How  terrible  his  doings  among  the  sons  of  men  ! 

6  He  turned  the  sea  into  dry  land  ; 
They  went  through  the  deep  on  foot ; 
Then  we  rejoiced  in  him. 

7  By  his  power  he  ruleth  for  ever ; 
His  eyes  are  fixed  upon  the  nations ; 
Let  not  the  rebellious  exalt  themselves ! 

8  O  bless  our  God,  ye  nations, 

And  make  the  voice  of  his  praise  to  be  heard  ! 

9  It  is  he  who  preserveth  our  lives. 
And  sufFereth  not  our  feet  to  stumble. 

10  Thou  hast,  indeed,  proved  us,  O  God  ! 
Thou  hast  tried  us  as  silver  is  tried. 

11  Thou  broughtest  us  into  a  snare, 

And  didst  lay  a  heavy  burden  upon  our  backs  ; 

12  Thou  didst  cause  men  to  ride  upon  our  heads. 
And  we  have  gone  through  fire  and  water ; 

But  thou  hast  brought  us  to  a  place  of  abundance. 

13  I  will  go  into  thy  house  with  burnt  offerings  ; 
I  will  pay  thee  my  vows, 

14  The  vows  which  my  lips  uttered. 
Which  my  mouth  promised  in  my  trouble. 

15  Burnt  sacrifices  of  fallings  will  I  offer  to  thee  with  the 

fat  of  rams ; 
Bullocks,  with  he-goats,  will  I  sacrifice  to  thee. 


Lxvii.]  THE    PSALMS.  I49 

16  Come  and  hear,  all  ye  who  fear  God, 
And  I  will  relate  what  he  hath  done  for  me  ! 

17  I  called  upon  him  with  my  mouth, 
And  praise  is  now  upon  my  tongue. 

18  If  I  had  meditated  wickedness  in  my  heart, 
The  Lord  would  not  have  heard  me  ; 

19  But  surely  God  hath  heard  me ; 

He  hath  had  regard  to  the  voice  of  my  supplication. 

20  Blessed  be  God,  who  did  not  reject  my  prayer, 
Nor  withhold  his  mercy  from  me  ! 


PSALM  LXVII. 

A  hymn  of  praise. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.      To  be  sung  on  stringed  instruments. 
A  psalm. 

1  O  God,  be  merciful  to  us,  and  bless  us, 
And  cause  thy  face  to  shine  upon  us  ! 

2  That  thy  doings  may  be  known  on  earth. 
And  thy  saving  power  to  all  the  nations. 

3  Let  the  nations  praise  thee,  O  God, 
Yea,  let  all  the  nations  praise  thee ! 

4  Let  all  the  nations  be  glad,  and  shout  for  joy ! 
For  justly  dost  thou  judge  the  kingdoms. 
And  govern  the  nations  on  the  earth. 

5  Let  the  nations  praise  thee,  O  God  ! 
Yea,  let  all  the  nations  praise  thee ! 

6  For  the  earth  hath  yielded  her  increase, 
And  God,  our  God,  hath  blessed  us. 

7  May  God  continue  to  bless  us. 

And  may  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  fear  him  ! 
13* 


150  THE   PSALMS.  [lxviii. 

PSALM  LXVIII. 

A  triumphal  ode,  on  the  occasion  of  the  removal  of  the  ark  to  Mount  Zion. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Let  God  arise,  and  his  enemies  are  scattered, 
And  they  who  hate  him  flee  before  him  ! 

2  As  smoke  is  dispersed,  so  thou  dispersest  them ; 
As  wax  melteth  before  the  fire, 

So  perish  the  wicked  before  the  face  of  God. 

3  But  the  righteous  are  glad  and  rejoice  in  his  presence, 
Yea,  they  exult  exceedingly. 

4  Sing  unto  God ;  sing  praises  to  his  name  ! 

Prepare  the  way  for  him  who  rideth  through  the  desert ! 
Jehovah  is  his  name ;  be  joyful  in  his  presence  ! 

5  The  father  of  the  fatherless,  and  the  protector  of  the 

widow, 
Is  God  in  his  holy  habitation. 

6  God  causeth  the  forsaken  to  dwell  in  houses ; 

He  leadeth  forth  to  prosperity  them  that  are  bound  ; 
But  the  rebellious  shall  dwell  in  a  barren  land. 

7  O  God,  when  thou  didst  go  before  thy  people. 
When  thou  didst  march  through  the  wilderness, 

8  The  earth  quaked,  and  the  heavens  dropped  at  the  pres- 

ence of  God  ; 
Yea,  Sinai  trembled  at  the  presence  of  God,  the  God  of 
Israel. 

9  Thou,  O  God,  didst  send  a  plentiful  rain  ; 
Thou  didst  strengthen  thy  wearied  inheritance. 

10  Thy  people  established  themselves  in  the  land  ; 
Thou,  O  God,  in  thy  goodness,  didst  prepare  it  for  the 
needy ! 


Lxviii.]  THE   PSALMS.  151 

11  The  Lord  gave  the  song  of  victory  ; 

Virgin  minstrels  pubhshed  it  to  the  numerous  host. 

12  "  The  kings  with  their  armies  have  fled,  —  have  fled  ! 
»And  the  matron  at  home  divideth  the  spoil. 

13  Ye  may  repose  yourselves  in  the  stalls, 
Like  the  wings  of  a  dove  covered  with  silver, 
And  her  feathers  with  shining  gold." 

14  When  the  Most  High  destroyed  the  kings  in  the  land, 
It  was  white  [with  their  bones]  like  Salmon. 

15  Ye  lofty  hills,  ye  hills  of  Bashan, 

Ye  many-topped  hills,  ye  hills  of  Bashan, 

16  Why  frown  ye,  ye  many-topped  hills. 

At  the  hill  in  which  God  is  pleased  to  dwell, 
In  which  Jehovah  will  dwell  for  ever  ? 

17  The  chariots  of  God  are  myriads,  yea,  thousands  of 

thousands  ; 
The  Lord  is  in  the  midst  of  them,  as  upon  Sinai,  in  the 

sanctuary. 
IS  Thou  hast  ascended  on  high. 

Thou  hast  led  captive  the  vanquished, 
Thou  hast  received  gifts  among  men. 
And  even  among  the  rebellious  wilt  thou  dwell,  O  Lord 

God! 

19  Praised  be  the  Lord  daily  ! 

When  we  are  heavy-laden,  the  Mighty  One  is  our  help. 

20  Our  God  is  a  God  of  salvation  ; 

From  the  Lord  God  cometh  deliverance  from  death. 

21  But  God  smiteth  the  head  of  his  enemies. 

Even  the  hairy  crowns  of  those  who  go  on  in  their  iniquity. 

22  "  I  will  bring  them  back,"  saith  the  Lord,  "  from  Bashan ; 
I  will  bring  them  back  from  the  deep  sea ; 


152  THE   PSALMS.  [lxviii. 

23  That  thy  foot  may  be  dipped  in  their  blood, 

That  thy  dogs  may  drink  the  blood  of  thine  enemies." 

24  We  have  seen  thy  procession,  O  God, 

The  procession  of  my  God,  my  king,  to  his  sanctuary ! 

25  The  singers  go  before,  the  minstrels  follow, 
Amidst  damsels  playing  on  timbrels. 

26  Praise  ye  God  in  your  assemblies ; 

Praise  the  Lord,  all  ye  from  the  fountain  of  Israel  ! 

27  Here  is  Benjamin,  the  youngest,  and  his  leaders ; 
The  chiefs  of  Judah,  and  their  band  ; 

The  chiefs  of  Zebulon,  and  the  chiefs  of  Naphtali. 

28  Thy  God  has  ordained  thy  strength,  [O  Israel !] 
Show  forth  thy  might,  O  God,  thou  who  hast  wrought  for 

us ! 

29  Because  of  thy  temple  in  Jerusalem 
Shall  kings  bring  presents  to  thee. 

30  Rebuke  the  wild  beast  of  the  reeds,  ^ 
The  multitude  of  bulls  with  the  calves  of  the  nations. 

So  that  they  shall  cast  themselves  down  with  masses  of 

silver  ; 
Scatter  thou  the  nations  that  delight  in  war ! 

31  Princes  shall  come  out  of  Egypt ; 

Ethiopia  shall  haste  with  outstretched  hands  to  God. 

32  Ye  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  sing  unto  God  ; 
Sing  praises  unto  the  Lord  ; 

33  To  him  who  rideth  upon  the  ancient  heaven  of  heavens ! 
Behold,  he  uttereth  his  voice,  his  mighty  voice  ! 

34  Give  glory  to  God, 

Whose  majesty  is  in  Israel,  and  whose  might  is  in  the 
clouds ! 


Lxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  I53 

35  Terrible  art  thou,  O  God,  from  thy  sanctuary ! 

The  God  of  Israel  giveth  strength  and  power  to  his  people. 
Praised  be  God  ! 


PSALIVI  LXIX. 

Prayer  for  aid  against  enemies.    Hope  of  deliverance,  and  of  return  from 
exile. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.       Upon  the  Shoshannim.     A  psalm  of 
David. 

1  Save  me,  O  God, 

For  the  waters  press  in  to  my  very  life  ! 

2  I  sink  in  deep  mire,  where  is  no  standing ; 

I  have  come  into  deep  waters,  and  the  waves  flow  over  me. 

3  I  am  weary  with  crying  ;  my  throat  is  parched  ; 
Mine  eyes  are  wasted,  while  I  wait  for  my  God. 

4  More  numerous  than  the  hairs  of  my  head  are  they  who 

hate  me  without  reason  ; 

Mighty  are  they  who  seek  to  destroy  me,  being  my  ene- 
mies without  cause ; 

I  must  restore  what  I  took  not  away. 

6      O  God,  thou  knowest  my  offences. 
And  my  sins  are  not  hidden  from  thee  ! 

6  Let  not  them  that  trust  in  thee  through  me  be  put  to  shame, 
O  Lord,  Jehovah,  God  of  hosts ! 

Let  not  them  that  seek  thee  through  me  be  confounded, 
O  God  of  Israel  ! 

7  For  on  account  of  thee  do  I  suffer  reproach, 
And  shame  covereth  my  face  ! 

8  I  am  become  a  stranger  to  my  brothers  ; 
Yea,  an  alien  to  my  mother's  sons. 


154  THE   PSALMS.  [lxix. 

9  For  zeal  for  thy  house  consumeth  me, 
And  the  reproaches  of  them  that  reproach  thee  fall  upon 
me. 

10  When  I  weep  and  fast, 
That  is  made  my  reproach  ; 

11  When  I  clothe  myself  in  sackcloth, 
Then  I  become  their  by-word. 

12  They  who  sit  in  the  gate  speak  against  me, 
And  I  am  become  the  song  of  drunkards. 

13  Yet  will  I  address  my  prayer  to  thee,  O  Lord  ! 

May  it  be  in  an  acceptable  time  according  to  thy  gi'eat 

goodness ! 
Hear,  O  God,  and  afford  me  thy  sure  help  ! 

14  Save  me  from  the  mire,  and  let  me  not  sink  ; 

May  I  be  delivered  from  my  enemies,  —  from  the  deep 
waters ! 

15  Let  not  the  water-flood  overflow  me ; 
Let  not  the  deep  swallow  me  up, 

And  let  not  the  pit  close  her  mouth  upon  me  ! 

16  Hear  me,  O  Lord,  since  great  is  thy  loving-kindness  ; 
According  to  the  abundance  of  thy  tender  mercies  look 

upon  me ! 

17  Hide  not  thy  face  from  thy  servant ; 

I  am  greatly  distressed,  O  make  haste  to  mine  aid ! 

18  Draw  near  to  me,  and  redeem  my  life ; 
Deliver  me  because  of  my  enemies ! 

19  Thou  knowest  my  reproach,  and  dishonor,  and  shame  ; 
All  my  adversaries  are  in  thy  view ! 

20  Reproach  hath  broken  my  heart,  and  I  am  full  of  heavi- 

ness ; 
I  look  for  pity,  but  there  is  none  ; 
For  comforters,  but  find  none. 


LXix.]  THE    PSALMS.  I55 

21  For  my 'food  they  give  me  gall, 

And  in  my  thirst  they  give  me  vinegar  to  drink. 

22  May  their  table  be  to  them  a  snare ; 

May  it  be  a  trap  to  them,  while  they  are  at  ease  ! 

23  May  their  eyes  be  darkened,  that  they  may  not  see ; 
And  cause  their  loins  continually  to  shake  ! 

24  Pour  out  upon  them  thine  indignation. 

And  may  the  heat  of  thine  anger  overtake  them  ! 

25  Let  their  habitation  be  desolate, 
And  let  none  dwell  in  their  tents  ! 

26  For  they  persecute  those  whom  thou  hast  smitten, 
And  talk  of  the  pain  of  those  whom  thou  hast  wounded. 

27  Add  iniquity  to  their  iniquity. 

And  let  them  never  come  into  thy  favor  ! 

28  Let  them  be  blotted  out  of  the  book  of  the  living  ; 
Let  not  their  names  be  written  with  the  righteous ! 

29  But  I  am  poor,  and  sorrowful ; 

May  thine  aid,  O  God,  set  me  on  high  ! 

30  Then  will  I  praise  the  name  of  God  in  a  song ; 
I  will  give  glory  to  him  with  thanksgiving. 

31  More  pleasing  shall  this  be  to  Jehovah 
Than  a  full-horned  and  full-hoofed  bullock. 

32  The  afflicted  shall  see,  and  rejoice  ; 

The  hearts  of  them  that  fear  God  shall  be  revived. 

33  For  Jehovah  heareth  the  poor, 

And  despiseth  not  his  people  in  their  bonds. 

34  Let  the  heaven  and  the  earth  praise  him  ; 
The  sea,  and  all  that  move  therein ! 

35  For  God  will  save  Zion,  and  will  build  the  cities  of  Judah, 
That  they  may  dwell  therein,  and  possess  it. 

36  Yea,  the  posterity  of  his  servants  shall  possess  it. 
And  they  that  love  him  shall  dwell  therein. 


156  THE   PSALMS.  [lxx.,  lxxi. 


PSALM  LXX. 

This  psalm  is  a  repetition  of  the  last  five  verses  of  the  fortieth  psalm,  Vi^ith 
some  slight  variations. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David,  for  remembrance. 

1  Make  haste,  O  God,  to  deliver  me, 
O  Lord,  come  speedily  to  mine  aid  ! 

2  May  they  all  be  confounded,  and  covered  with  shame, 
Who  seek  to  take  my  life  ! 

May  they  be  driven  back  with  disgrace 
Who  desire  to  do  me  injury  ! 

3  May  they  be  turned  back  with  shame 
Who  cry  out  to  me,  "  Aha  !  aha  !  " 

4  But  let  all  who  seek  thee  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  thee ! 
Let  them  that  love  thy  protection  ever  say, 

"  The  Lord  be  praised  !  " 

5  But  I  am  poor  and  needy ; 
O  God,  hasten  to  mine  aid  ! 

Thou  art  my  help  and  my  deliverer, 
O  Lord,  make  no  delay ! 


PSALM  LXXI. 


Prayer  for  assistance  against  enemies,  and  hope  of  deliverance.  Com- 
monly supposed  to  have  been  composed  by  David  in  his  old  age,  during 
the  rebellion  of  Absalom. 


1  In  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  put  my  trust  ! 
Let  me  never  be  put  to  shame  ! 

2  In  thy  goodness  deliver  and  rescue  me ; 
Incline  thine  ear  to  me  and  save  me  ! 


Lxxi.]  THE   PSALMS.  I57 

3  Be  thou  the  rock  of  my  abode,  where  I  may  continually 

resort ! 
Thou  hast  granted  me  deliverance  ; 
For  thou  art  my  rock  and  my  fortress ! 

4  Save  me,  0  my  God,  from  the  hand  of  the  wicked, 
From  the  hand  of  the  unjust  and  cruel ! 

5  For  thou  art  my  hope,  O  Lord,  Jehovah  ! 
Thou  hast  been  my  trust  from  my  youth ! 

6  Upon  thee  have  I  leaned  from  my  birth  ; 

From  my  earliest  breath  thou  hast  been  my  support ; 
My  song  hath  been  continually  of  thee  I 

7  I  am  a  wonder  to  many. 
But  thou  art  my  strong  refuge. 

8  Let  my  mouth  be  filled  with  thy  praise  ; 
Yea,  all  the  day  long,  with  thy  glory. 

9  Cast  me  not  off  in  mine  old  age  ; 
Forsake  me  not,  when  my  strength  faileth ! 

10  For  my  enemies  speak  against  me. 

And  they  who  lay  wait  for  my  life  consult  together  : 

11  "  God,"  say  they,  "  hath  forsaken  him  ; 

Pursue  and  seize  him  ;  for  he  hath  none  to  deliver  him ! " 

12  O  God,  be  not  far  from  me  ! 

Come  speedily  to  mine  aid,  O  my  God  ! 

13  Let  them  perish  with  shame  who  are  my  enemies  ; 

Let  them  be  covered  with  contempt  and  dishonor  who 
seek  my  hurt ! 

14  But  I  will  hope  continually  ; 

I  shall  yet  praise  thee  more  and  more. 

15  My  mouth  shall  speak  of  thy  goodness, 
Of  thy  sure  protection  all  the  day  long  ; 
For  thy  mercies  are  more  than  I  can  number. 

14 


158  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxi. 

16  I  will  celebrate  thy  mighty  deeds,  O  Lord,  Jehovah ! 
I  will  make  mention  of  thy  goodness,  of  thine  only ! 

17  O  God,  thou  hast  taught  me  from  my  youth, 
And  thus  far  have  I  declared  thy  wondrous  deeds  ; 

18  And  now,  when  I  am  old  and  gray-headed, 
O  God,  forsake  me  not, 

Until  I  make  known  thine  arm  to  the  next  generation, 
Thy  mighty  power  to  all  that  are  to  come ! 

19  For  thy  goodness,  O  God,  reacheth  to  the  heavens  ; 
Wonderful  things  doest  thou  ! 

O  God,  who  is  like  unto  thee  ? 

20  Thou  hast  suffered  us  to  see  great  and  grievous  troubles ; 
Thou  wilt  again  give  us  life. 

And  wilt  bring  us  back  from  the  depths  of  the  earth ! 

21  Thou  wilt  increase  my  greatness ; 
Thou  wilt  again  comfort  me ! 

22  Then  will  I  praise  thee  with  the  psaltery  ; 
Even  thy  faithfulness,  O  my  God ! 

To  thee  will  I  sing  with  the  harp, 
O  Holy  One  of  Israel ! 

23  My  lips  shall  rejoice,  when  I  sing  to  thee. 

And  my  soul,  which  thou  hast  redeemed  from  death  ; 

24  My  tongue  also  shall  continually  speak  of  thy  righteous- 

ness. 
For  all  who  seek  my  hurt  are  brought  to  shame  and  con- 
founded. 


Lxxii.]  THE   PSALMS.  I59 


PSALM   LXXII. 

Prayer  for  a  righteous  and  prosperous  reign  for  a  king.  The  Hebrew  title  of 
this  psalm  is  ambiguous,  admitting  of  the  translation  Of,  or  For,  Solo- 
mon. It  is,  perhaps,  most  probable  that  it  was  prefixed  by  some  one 
who  supposed  Solomon  to  be  the  subject,  rather  than  the  author,  of  the 
psalm. 

For,  or  of,  Solomon. 

1  To  the  king,  O  God,  give  thy  justice. 
And  to  the  son  of  a  king  thy  righteousness  ! 

2  Yea  !  he  shall  judge  thy  people  with  equity. 
And  thine  oppressed  ones  with  justice. 

3  For  the  mountains  shall  bring  forth  peace  to  the  people, 
And  the  hills,  through  righteousness. 

4  He  shall  defend  the  oppressed  of  the  people  ; 
He  shall  save  the  needy, 

And  break  in  pieces  the  oppressor. 

5  They  shall  fear  thee  as  long  as  the  sun  and  moon  shall 

endure. 
From  generation  to  generation. 

6  He  shall  be  like  rain  descending  on  the  mown  field  ; 
Like  showers  which  water  the  earth. 

7  In  his  days  shall  the  righteous  flourish. 

And  great  shall  be  their  prosperity,  as  long  as  the  moon 
shall  endure. 

S      He  shall  have  dominion  from  sea  to  sea, 
And  from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

9  They  that  dwell  in  the  desert  shall  bow  before  him. 
And  his  enemies  shall  lick  the  dust. 

10  The  kings  of  Tarshish  and  of  the  isles  shall  bring  presents ; 
The  kings  of  Sheba  and  Seba  shall  offer  gifts  ; 

11  Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down  before  him  ; 
All  nations  shall  serve  him. 


160  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxii. 

12  For  he  shall  deliver  the  poor  who  crieth  for  aid, 
And  the  oppressed  who  hath  no  helper. 

13  He  shall  spare  the  weak  and  the  needy, 
And  save  the  lives  of  the  poor. 

14  He  shall  redeem  them  from  deceit  and  violence, 
And  their  blood  shall  be  precious  in  his  sight. 

15  He  shall  prosper,  and  to  him  shall  be  given  of  the  gold 

of  Sheba ; 
Prayer  also  shall  be  made  for  him  continually. 
And  daily  shall  he  be  praised. 

16  There  shall  be  an  abundance  of  corn  in  the  land  ; 

Even  on  the  tops  of  the  mountains  its  fruit  shall  shake  like 

Lebanon, 
And  they  of  the  cities  shall  flourish  as  the  grass  of  the 

earth. 

17  His  name  shall  endure  for  ever ; 

His  name  shall  be  continued  as  long  as  the  sun. 
By  him  shall  men  bless  themselves  ; 
All  nations  shall  call  him  blessed. 

18  Praised  he  God,  Jehovah,  the  God  of  Israel, 
Who  alone  doeth  wonderful  things  ! 

19  Praised  he  his  glorious  name  for  ever  ! 

May  his  glory  fit  the  whole  earth  !  Amen  !  Amen  ! 

20  Here  end  the  psalms  of  David,  the  son  of  Jesse. 


BOOK    III 


PSALM  LXXIII. 

A  meditation  on  the  ways  of  Providence  in  the  distribution  of  happiness 
and  misery,  or  in  appointing  the  condition  of  the  wicked  and  of  the 
righteous.  The  subject  is  similar  to  that  of  Ps.  xxxvii.,  xxxix.,  and  xlix., 
and  of  the  book  of  Job. 

A  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  Truly  God  is  good  to  Israel, 
To  those  who  are  pure  in  heart. 

2  Yet  my  feet  almost  gave  way  ; 
My  steps  had  well  nigh  slipped  ; 

3  For  I  was  envious  of  the  proud, 

When  I  saw  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 

4  For  they  have  no  pains  to  the  day  of  their  death ; 
Their  bodies  are  in  full  health. 

5  They  have  not  the  woes  of  other  men, 
Neither  are  they  smitten  like  other  men. 

6  Therefore  pride  encircleth  their  neck,  as  a  collar ; 
Violence  covereth  them,  as  a  garment. 

7  From  their  bosom  issueth  their  iniquity ; 
The  designs  of  their  hearts  burst  forth. 

8  They  mock,  and  speak  of  malicious  oppression ; 
Their  words  are  haughty  ; 

14* 


162  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxhi. 

9  They  stretch  forth  their  moulh  to  the  heavens, 
And  their  tongue  goeth  through  the  earth  ; 

10  Therefore  his  people  walk  in  their  ways, 
And  there  drink  from  full  fountains. 

11  And  they  say,  "  How  doth  God  know  ? 

How  can  there  be  knowledge  with  the  .Most  High  ?  " 

12  Behold  these  ungodly  men  ! 

They  are  ever  prosperous  ;  they  heap  up  riches. 

13  Verily  I  have  cleansed  my  heart  in  vain  ; 

In  vain  have  I  washed  my  hands  in  innocence. 

14  For  every  day  have  I  been  smitten  ; 
Every  morn  have  I  been  chastened. 

15  If  I  should  resolve  to  speak  like  them, 

Surely  I  should   be   treacherous   to   the   family  of  thy 
children. 

16  So  when  I  studied  to  know  this, 
It  was  painful  to  my  eyes  ; 

17  Until  I  went  into  the  sanctuaries  of  God, 
And  considered  what  was  their  end. 

18  Behold  !    thou  hast  set  them  on  slippery  places  ; 
Thou  castest  them  down  into  unseen  pits. 

19  How  are  they  brought  to  desolation  in  a  moment, 
And  utterly  consumed  with  sudden  destruction  ! 

20  As  a  dream  when  one  awaketh, 

Thou,  O  Lord,  when  thou  awakest,  wilt  make  their  vain 
show  a  derision. 

21  When  my  heart  was  vexed 
And  I  was  pierced  in  my  reins, 

22  Then  I  was  stupid  and  without  understanding  ; 
I  was  like  one  of  the  brutes  before  thee. 

23  Yet  am  I  ever  under  thy  care  ; 

By  my  right  hand  thou  dost  hold  me  up. 


Lxxiv.]  THE   PSALMS.  163 

24  Thou  wilt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel, 
And  at  last  receive  me  with  glory. 

25  Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee, 

And  whom  on  earth  do  I  love  in  comparison  with  thee  ? 

26  Though  my  flesh  and  my  heart  fail, 

God  is  the  strength  of  heart,  and  my  portion  for  ever. 

27  For,  lo  !  they  who  are  far  from  thee  perish  ; 

Thou  destroyest  all  who  estrange  themselves  from  thee. 

28  But  it  is  good  for  me  to  draw  near  to  God  ; 
I  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord  God, 

That  I  may  declare  all  thy  works. 


PSALM  LXXIV. 

Prayer  on  account  of  the  desolation  of  the  temple,  and  other  grievous 
afflictions  of  the  Hebrew  nation. 

Jl  psalvi  of  Asaph. 

1  O  God,  why  hast  thou  cast  us  off  for  ever  ? 

Why  doth  thine  anger  smoke  against  the  flock  of  thy 
pasture  } 

2  Remember  the  people  which  thou  didst  purchase  of  old ; 
Thine  own  inheritance,  which  thou  didst  redeem  ; 
That  Mount  Zion,  where  thou  once  didst  dwell ! 

3  Hasten  thy  steps  to  those  utter  desolations  ! 

Every  thing  in  the  sanctuary  hath  the  enemy  abused  ! 

4  Thine  enemies  roar  in  the  place  of  thine  assemblies  ; 
Their  own  symbols  have  they  set  up  for  signs. 

5  They  appeared  like  those  who  raise  the  axe  against  a 

thicket ; 

6  They  have  broken  down  the  carved  work  of  thy  temple 

with  axes  and  hammers  ; 


164  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxiv. 

7  They  have  cast  fire  into  thy  sanctuary  ; 

They  have  profaned  and  cast  to  the  ground  the  dwelling- 
place  of  thy  name. 

8  They  said  in  their  hearts,  "  Let  us  destroy  them  all  to- 

gether !  " 
They  have  burned  all  God's  places  of  assembly  in  the  land. 

9  We  no  longer  see  our  signs  ; 
There  is  no  prophet  among  us, 

Nor  any  one  that  knoweth  how  long  this  desolation  shall 
endure. 

10  How  long,  O  God,  shall  the  adversary  revile  ? 
Shall  the  enemy  blaspheme  thy  name  for  ever  ? 

11  Why  withdraw  est  thou  thy  hand,  even  thy  right  hand  ? 
Take  it  from  thy  bosom,  and  destroy  ! 

12  Yet  God  was  our  king  of  old. 

Working  salvation  in  the  midst  of  the  earth. 

13  Thou  didst  divide  the  sea  by  thy  power  ; 

Thou  didst  crush  the  heads  of  the  sea-monsters  in  the 
waters. 

14  Thou  didst  break  in  pieces  the  head  of  the  crocodile  ; 
Thou  gavest  him  for  food  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  desert. 

15  Thou  didst  cleave  forth  the  fountain  and  the  stream  ; 
Thou  didst  dry  up  perennial  rivers. 

16  Thine  is  the  day,  and  thine  the  night ; 
Thou  didst  prepare  the  light  and  the  sun. 

17  Thou  didst  establish  all  the  boundaries  of  the  earth ; 
Thou  didst  make  summer  and  winter. 

18  O  remember  that  the  enemy  hath  reviled  Jehovah  ; 
That  an  impious  people  hath  blasphemed  thy  name  ! 

19  Give  not  up  the  life  of  thy  turtle-dove  to  the  wild  beast ; 
Forget  not  for  ever  thine  afflicted  people  ! 


Lxxv.]  THE   PSALMS.  165 

20  Have  regard  to  thy  covenant ! 

For  all  the  dark  places  of  the  land  are  full  of  the  abodes 
of  cruelty. 

21  O  let  not  the  afflicted  go  away  ashamed ! 
Let  the  poor  and  needy  praise  thy  name  ! 

22  Arise,  O  God  !  maintain  thy  cause  ! 
Remember  how  the  impious  revileth  thee  daily ! 

23  Forget  not  the  clamor  of  thine  adversaries, 

The  noise  of  thine  enemies,  which  continually  increaseth  ! 


PSALM  LXXV. 

Thanksgiving  in  view  of  deliverance  from  enemies.  This  psalm  contains 
no  indication  of  the  time  of  its  composition,  except  that  it  resembles 
those  which  were  composed  in  the  later  ages  of  the  kingdom. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     To  the  tune  of  ^^  Do  not  destroy."     A 
jtsalm  of  Asaph. 

1  We  give  thanks  to  thee,  O  God,  we  give  thanks  to  thee, 

and  near  is  thy  name  ; 
Men  shall  declare  thy  wondrous  deeds  ! 

2  "  When  I  see  my  time. 
Then  will  I  judge  with  equity  ; 

3  The  earth  trembles,  and  all  her  inhabitants. 
But  I  uphold  her  pillars." 

4  I  say  to  the  proud.  Behave  not  proudly  ! 
To  the  wicked.  Lift  not  up  your  heads  ! 

5  Lift  not  up  your  heads  on  high, 
And  speak  not  with  a  stifl'  neck ! 


166  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxvi. 

6  For  promotion  cometh  neither  from  the  east,  nor  west, 

nor  south  ; 

7  But  it  is  God  who  is  judge  ; 

He  putteth  down  one,  and  setteth  up  another. 

8  For  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord  there  is  a  cup  ; 
The  wine  is  foaming  and  full  of  spices, 
And  of  it  he  poureth  out ; 

Even  to  the  dregs  shall  all  the  wicked  of  the  earth  drink  it. 

9  Therefore  I  will  extol  him  for  ever ; 

I  will  sing  praise  to  the  God  of  Jacob. 

10      "  I  will  bring  down  all  the  power  of  the  wicked  ; 
But  the  righteous  shall  lift  up  their  heads." 


PSALM  LXXVL 

Thanksgiving  for  victory  over  powerful  enemies.     This  psalm  probably 
belongs  to  the  same  age  with  the  preceding. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     Upon  stringed  instruments.     A  psalm 
of  Asaph. 

1  In  Judah  is  God  known  ; 
Great  is  his  name  in  Israel. 

2  In  Jerusalem  is  his  tabernacle. 
And  his  dwelling-place  in  Zion. 

3  There  brake  he  the  lightning  of  the  bow. 

The  shield,  the  sword,  and  all  the  weapons  of  battle. 

4  More  glorious  and  excellent  art  thou 
Than  those  mountains  of  robbers  ! 

5  Spoiled  are  the  stout-hearted  ; 
They  sank  into  their  sleep  ; 

The  hands  of  the  mighty  were  powerless. 


Lxxvii.]  THE   PSALMS.  Ig7 

6  Before  thy  rebuke,  O  God  of  Jacob, 

Fell  chariot  and  horseman  into  a  deep  sleep ! 

7  Thou,  thou,  O  God,  art  terrible  ! 

Who  can  stand  before  thee  in  thine  anger  ? 

8  Thou  didst  cause  judgment  to  be  heard  from  heaven  ; 
The  earth  trembled  and  was  still, 

9  When  God  arose  to  judgment. 

To  save  all  the  oppressed  of  the  earth  ! 

10  The  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  thee. 

When  thou  girdest  on  the  whole  of  thy  wrath  ! 

11  Make  and  perform  vows  to  Jehovah,  your  God ! 

Let  all  who  dwell  around  him  bring  gifts  to  the  terrible  One, 

12  Who  casteth  down  the  pride  of  princes. 
Who  is  terrible  to  the  kings  of  the  earth  ! 


PSALM  LXXVII. 

Prayer  in  a  season  of  great  public  calamity.    Consolation  and  hope  derived 
from  meditation  upon  former  favors  of  God  to  the  nation. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music  of  the  JedutMmites.     A  ■psalm  of  Asaph- 

1  I  CALL  upon  God  ;  I  ciy  aloud  for  help  ; 
I  call  upon  God,  that  he  would  hear  me  ! 

2  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  seek  the  Lord  ; 

In  the  night  is  my  hand  stretched  forth  continually ; 
My  soul  re  fuse  th  to  be  comforted. 

3  I  remember  God,  and  am  disquieted  ; 

I  think  of  him,  and  my  spirit  is  overwhelmed. 

4  Thou  keepest  mine  eyelids  from  closing  ; 
I  am  distressed,  so  that  I  cannot  speak  ! 

5  I  think  of  the  days  of  old, 
The  years  of  ancient  times. 


168  ^  THE  PSALMS.  [lxxvii. 

6  I  call  to  remembrance  my  songs  in  the  night ; 
I  meditate  in  my  heart, 

And  my  spirit  inquireth. 

7  Will  the  Lord  be  angry  for  ever  ? 
Will  he  be  favorable  no  more  ? 

8  Is  his  mercy  utterly  withdrawn  for  ever  ? 

Doth  his  promise  fail  from  generation  to  generation  ? 

9  Hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gracious  ? 
Hath  he  in  anger  shut  up  his  compassion  ? 

10  Then  I  say,  This  is  mine  affliction, 

A  change  in  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High. 

11  I  remember  the  deeds  of  Jehovah ; 
I  think  of  thy  wonders  of  old. 

12  I  meditate  on  all  thy  works, 
And  talk  of  thy  doings. 

13  Thy  ways,  O  God,  are  holy  ! 
W^ho  so  great  a  god  as  our  God  ? 

14  Thou  art  a  God  who  doest  wonders ; 

Thou  hast  manifested  thy  power  among  the  nations. 

15  With  thy  strong  arm  thou  didst  redeem  thy  people. 
The  sons  of  Jacob  and  Joseph. 

16  The  waters  saw  thee,  O  God  ! 
The  waters  saw  thee,  and  feared. 
And  the  deep  trembled. 

17  The  clouds  poured  out  water, 
The  skies  sent  forth  thunder, 
And  thine  arrows  flew. 

18  Thy  thunder  roared  in  the  whirlwind ; 
Thy  lightning  illumined  the  world  ; 
The  earth  trembled  and  shook. 

19  Thy  way  was  through  the  sea. 
And  thy  path  through  great  waters. 
And  thy  footsteps  could  not  be  found. 


Lxxviii.]  THE    PSALMS.  169 

20  Thou  didst  lead  thy  people  like  a  flock, 
By  the  hands  of  Moses  and  Aaron. 


PSALM  LXXVIII. 

Admonition  to  keep  God's  commandments,  and  to  remember  his  former 
dealings  toward  the  nation  of  Israel. 

A  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  Give  ear,  O  my  people,  to  my  teaching ! 
Incline  your  ears  to  the  words  of  my  mouth  ! 

2  I  will  open  my  mouth  in  a  poem  ; 

I  will  utter  sayings  of  ancient  times. 

3  What  we  have  heard,  and  learned, 
And  our  fathers  have  told  us, 

4  We  will  not  hide  from  their  children  ; 

Showing  to  the  generation  to  come  the  praises  of  Jehovah, 
His  might,  and  the  wonders  he  hath  wrought. 

5  For  he  appointed  statutes  in  Jacob, 
And  established  a  law  in  Israel, 
Which  he  commanded  our  fathers 
To  make  known  to  their  children  ; 

6  So  that  the  generation  to  come  might  know  them  5 
The  children,  which  should  be  born,  and  rise  up, 
Who  should  declare  them  to  their  children  ; 

7  That  they  might  put  their  trust  in  God, 
And  not  forget  his  deeds. 

But  keep  his  commandments  ; 

8  And  might  not  be,  like  their  forefathers, 
A  stubborn  and  rebellious  generation, 

A  generation  whose  heart  was  not  fixed  upon  God, 
And  whose  spirit  was  not  steadfast  toward  the  Almighty. 
15 


170  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxviii. 

9      The  children  of  Ephraim  were  like  armed  bowmen, 
Who  turn  their  backs  in  the  day  of  battle. 

10  They  kept  not  the  covenant  of  God, 
And  refused  to  walk  in  his  law  ; 

11  And  forgot  his  mighty  deeds, 

And  the  wonders  he  had  shown  them. 

12  Marvellous  things  did  he  in  the  sight  of  their  fathers, 
In  the  land  of  Egypt,  in  the  field  of  Zoan. 

13  He  divided  the  sea,  and  caused  them  to  pass  through  ; 
Yea,  he  made  the  waters  to  stand  as  a  heap. 

14  By  day  he  led  them  by  a  cloud. 
And  all  the  night  by  a  light  of  fire. 

15  He  clave  the  rocks  in  the  wilderness. 

And  gave  them  drink,  as  from  the  great  deep. 

16  From  the  rock  he  brought  flowing  streams, 
And  made  waters  to  run  down  like  rivers. 

17  Yet  still  they  sinned  against  him. 

And  provoked  the  Most  High  in  the  desert. 

18  They  tempted  God  in  their  hearts. 
By  asking  food  for  their  delight. 

19  Yea,  they  spake  against  God,  and  said, 

"  Can  God  spread  a  table  in  the  wilderness  ? 

20  Behold  !  he  smote  the  rock,  and  the  waters  flowed, 
And  streams  gushed  forth  ; 

Is  he  also  able  to  give  bread  ? 

Can  he  provide  flesh  for  his  people  ?  " 

21  When  Jehovah  heard  this,  he  was  wroth ; 
So  a  fire  was  kindled  against  Jacob, 

And  anger  arose  against  Israel, 

22  Because  they  believed  not  in  God, 
And  trusted  not  in  his  aid. 


Lxxviii.]  THE    PSALMS.  171 

23  Yet  he  had  commanded  the  clouds  above, 
And  had  opened  the  doors  of  heaven  ; 

24  And  had  rained  down  upon  them  manna  for  food, 
And  had  given  them  the  corn  of  heaven. 

25  Every  one  ate  the  food  of  princes  ; 
He  sent  them  bread  to  the  full. 

26  Then  he  caused  a  strong  wind  to  blow  in  the  heavens. 
And  by  his  power  he  brought  a  south  wind ; 

27  He  rained  down  flesh  upon  them  as  dust, 
And  feathered  fowls  as  the  sand  of  the  sea. 

28  He  caused  them  to  fall  in  the  midst  of  their  camp, 
Round  about  their  habitations. 

29  So  they  did  eat  and  were  filled ; 
For  he  gave  them  their  own  desire. 

30  Their  desire  was  not  yet  satisfied. 
And  their  meat  was  yet  in  their  mouths, 

31  When  the  wrath  of  God  came  upon  them. 
And  clew  their  strong  men. 

And  smote  down  the  chosen  men  of  Israel. 

32  For  all  this  they  sinned  still. 

And  put  no  trust  in  his  wondrous  works. 

33  Therefore  he  consumed  their  days  in  vanity. 
And  their  years  in  sudden  destruction. 

34  When  he  stew  them,  they  sought  him ; 
They  returned,  and  sought  earnestly  for  God  ; 

35  And  remembered  that  God  was  their  rock, 
And  the  Most  High  their  redeemer. 

36  But  they  only  flattered  him  with  their  mouths. 
And  spake  falsely  to  him  with  their  tongues. 


172  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxviii. 

37  For  their  hearts  were  not  true  to  him, 
Nor  were  they  steadfast  in  his  covenant. 

38  Yet,  being  full  of  compassion,  he  forgave  their  iniquity, 
And  would  not  utterly  destroy  them  ; 

Often  he  restrained  his  indignation, 
And  stirred  not  up  all  his  anger. 

39  He  remembered  that  they  were  but  flesh  ; 
A  breath,  that  passeth  and  cometh  not  back. 

40  How  often  did  they  provoke  him  in  the  wilderness ! 
How  often  did  they  anger  him  in  the  desert ! 

41  Again  and  again  they  tempted  God, 
And  offended  the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 

42  They  remembered  not  his  hand. 

Nor  the  day  when  he  delivered  them  from  the  enemy  ; 

43  What  signs  he  had  wrought  in  Egypt, 
And  what  wonders  in  the  fields  of  Zoan. 

44  He  turned  their  rivers  into  blood. 

So  that  they  could  not  drink  of  their  streams. 

45  He  sent  amongst  them  flies,  which  devoured  them, 
And  frogs,  which  destroyed  them. 

46  He  gave  also  their  fruits  to  the  caterpillar, 
And  their  labor  to  the  locust. 

47  He  destroyed  their  vines  with  hail, 
And  their  sycamore-trees  with  frost. 

48  He  also  gave  up  their  cattle  to  hail. 
And  their  flocks  to  hot  thunderbolts. 

49  He  sent  against  them  the  fierceness  of  his  anger, 
Wrath,  indignation,  and  woe, 

A  host  of  angels  of  evil. 

50  He  made  a  way  for  his  anger, 
He  spared  them  not  from  death. 

But  gave  up  their  lives  to  the  pestilence. 


Lxxviii.]  THE    PSALMS.  I73 

51  He  smote  all  the  firstborn  in  Egypt ; 

The  first  fruits  of  their  strength  in  the  tents  of  Ham. 

52  But  he  led  forth  his  own  people  Hke  sheep, 
And  guided  them  like  a  flock  in  the  wilderness. 

53  He  led  them  on  safely,  so  that  they  feared  not, 
While  the  sea  overwhelmed  their  enemies. 

54  He  brought  them  to  his  own  sacred  border, 

Even  to  this  mountain  which  his  right  hand  had  acquired. 

55  He  cast  out  the  nations  before  them. 

And  divided  their  land  by  a  measuring-line,  as  an  inherit- 
ance. 
And  caused  the  tribes  of  Israel  to  dwell  in  their  tents. 

56  Yet  they  tempted  and  provoked  God,  the  Most  High, 
And  kept  not  his  statutes  ; 

57  Like  their  fathers,  they  were  faithless  and  turned  back ; 
They  turned  aside,  like  a  deceitful  bow. 

58  They  provoked  his  anger  by  their  high  places, 
And  stirred  up  his  jealousy  by  their  graven  images. 

59  God  saw  this,  and  was  wroth, 
And  greatly  abhorred  Israel ; 

60  So  that  he  forsook  the  habitation  at  Shiloh, 
The  tabernacle  where  he  dwelt  among  men, 

61  And  delivered  his  strength  into  captivity, 
And  his  glory  into  the  hand  of  the  enemy. 

62  His  own  people  he  gave  up  to  the  sword, 
And  was  wroth  with  his  own  inheritance. 

63  Fire  consumed  their  young  men, 

And  their  maidens  did  not  bewail  them. 

64  Their  priests  fell  by  the  sword. 

And  their  widows  made  no  lamentation. 

65  But  at  length  the  Lord  awaked  as  from  sleep, 
As  a  hero  who  had  been  overpowered  by  wine ; 

15* 


X74  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxix. 

66  He  smote  his  enemies,  and  drove  them  back, 
And  covered  them  with  everlasting  disgrace. 

67  Yet  he  rejected  the  tents  of  Joseph, 

And  would  not  dwell  in  the  tribe  of  Ephraim ; 

68  But  chose  the  tribe  of  Judah, 
The  Mount  Zion  which  he  loved  ! 

69  Where  he  built,  like  the  heavens,  his  sanctuary ; 
Like  the  earth,  which  he  hath  established  for  ever. 

70  And  he  chose  David,  his  servant, 
And  took  him  from  the  sheepfolds ; 

71  From  tending  the  suckling  ewes  he  brought  him 
To  feed  Jacob  his  people. 

And  Israel  his  inheritance. 

72  He  fed  them  with  an  upright  heart. 
And  guided  them  with  skilful  hands. 


PSALM   LXXIX. 

Lamentation  for  the  desolation  of  the  city  and  the  temple. 
A  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  O  God,  the  nations  have  come  into  thine  inheritance. 
They  have  polluted  thy  holy  temple, 

They  have  made  Jerusalem  a  heap  of  ruins ! 

2  They  have  given  the  dead  bodies  of  thy  servants  to  be 

food  for  the  birds  of  heaven  ; 
The  flesh  of  thy  worshippers  to  the  wild  beasts  of  the 
earth  ! 

3  Their  blood  have  they  shed  like  water  around  Jerusalem, 
And  there  was  none  to  bury  them  ! 


Lxxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  175 

4  We  have  become  the  reproach  of  our  neighbours, 
The  scorn  and  derision  of  those  around  us. 

5  How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  be  angry  ? 
How  long  shall  thy  jealousy  burn  like  fire  ? 

6  Pour  out  thy  wrath  on  the  nations  which  acknowledge  thee 

not. 
And  on  the  kingdoms  which  call  not  upon  thy  name ! 

7  For  they  have  devoured  Jacob, 
And  laid  waste  his  dwelling-place. 

8  0  remember  not  against  us  former  iniquities  ; 
Let  thy  tender  mercy  speedily  succour  us, 

9  For  we  are  brought  very  low  ! 

Help  us,  O  God  of  our  salvation,  for  the  honor  of  thy 

name ; 
For  thy  name's  sake  save  us,  and  forgive  our  iniquities ! 

10  Why  should  the  nations  say,  "  Where  is  their  God  ?  " 
May  the  revenging  of  the  blood  of  thy  servants,  which  hath 

been  shed. 
Be  manifested  among  the  nations  before  our  eyes ! 

11  Let  the  cry  of  the  prisoner  come  before  thee  ! 
According  to  the  greatness  of  thy  power  preserve -those 

that  are  appointed  to  die  ! 

12  And  return  sevenfold  into  our  neighbours'  bosoms 

The  reproach  with  which  they  have   reproached   thee, 
O  Lord ! 

13  So  shall  we,  thy  people,  and  the  flock  of  thy  pasture, 
Give  thanks  to  thee  for  ever. 

And  show  forth  thy  praise  to  all  generations. 


176  THE    PSALMS.  [lxxx. 

PSALM  LXXX. 

Prayer  for  deliverance  in  a  time  of  great  national  calamity. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.      Upon  the  Shushan-Eduth.     Jl  psalm 
of  Asaph. 

1  Give  ear,  O  Shepherd  of  Israel, 
Thou  who  leadest  Joseph  like  a  flock. 

Thou  who  sittest  between  the  cherubs,  shine  forth ! 

2  Before  Ephraim,  and  Benjamin,  and  Manasseh,  exert  thy 

strength. 
And  come  and  save  us  ! 

3  O  God,  restore  us  ! 

Show  us  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  we  shall  be 
saved  ! 

4  O  Lord,  God  of  hosts. 

How  long  wilt  thou  be  angry  against  the  prayer  of  thy 
people  ? 

5  For  thou  causest  them  to  eat  the  bread  of  tears. 
And  givest  them  tears  to  drink,  in  full  measure. 

6  Thou  hast  made  us  the  object  of  strife  to  our  neighbours. 
And  our  enemies  hold  us  in  derision. 

7  Restore  us,  O  God  of  hosts  ! 

Show  us  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  we  shall  be 
saved ! 

8  Thou  didst  bring  a  vine  out  of  Egypt ; 
Thou  didst  expel  nations,  and  plant  it. 

9  Thou  didst  prepare  a  place  for  it ; 

It  spread  its  roots,  and  filled  the  land. 
10  The  mountains  were  covered  with  its  shade. 
And  the  tall  cedars  by  its  branches. 


Lxxxi.]  THE   PSALMS.  177 

11  It  sent  out  its  boughs  to  the  sea, 
And  its  branches  to  the  river. 

12  Why  hast  thou  now  broken  down  its  hedges, 
So  that  all  who  pass  by  do  pluck  from  it  ? 

13  The  boar  from  the  wood  doth  waste  it. 

And  the  wild  beast  of  the  forest  doth  devour  it. 

14  O  God  of  hosts,  return,  we  beseech  thee, 
Look  down  from  heaven,  and  behold, 
And  have  regard  to  this  vine ! 

15  Protect  what  thy  right  hand  planted. 

The  branch  which  thou  madest  strong  for  thyself ! 

16  It  is  burnt  with  fire  ;  it  is  cut  down  ; 
Under  thy  rebuke  they  perish. 

17  May  thy  hand  be  over  the  man  whom  thy  right  hand  hath 

established. 
The  man  whom  thou  madest  strong  for  thyself! 
IS  So  will  we  no  more  turn  back  from  thee ; 

Revive  us,  and  upon  thy  name  alone  will  wc  call ! 
19  Restore  us,  O  Lord,  God  of  hosts  1 

Show  us  the  light  of  thy  countenance,  and  we  shall  be 
saved ! 


PSALM  LXXXI. 

Exhortation  to  religious  obedience.  Adapted  to  the  celebration  of  the  feast 
of  Tabernacles,  or,  as  some  suppose,  of  the  Passover.  See  Levit.  xxiii. 
4,  &c.,  and  33,  &c. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     On  the  Gittith.     A  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  Sing  joyfully  to  God,  our  strength  ! 
Shout  with  gladness  to  the  God  of  Jacob  ! 

2  Raise  a  song,  and  strike  the  timbrel, 

The  sweet-sounding  harp,  and  the  psaltery  ! 


178  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxi. 

3  Blow  the  trumpet  at  the  new  moon  ; 
At  the  full  moon,  also,  our  festal  day  ! 

4  For  this  is  a  statute  for  Israel, 
A  law  of  the  God  of  Jacob  ; 

5  He  appointed  it  as  a  memorial  in  Joseph, 
When  he  went  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt, 
Where  he  heard  a  language  which  he  knew  not. 

6  "I  relieved,  [said  he,]  thy  shoulders  from  their  burden ; 
Thy  hands  were  removed  from  the  hod. 

7  Thou  didst  call  in  trouble,  and  I  delivered  thee  ; 
In  the  secret  place  of  thunder  I  answered  thee  ; 
I  proved  thee  at  the  waters  of  Meribah. 

8  Hear,  O  my  people,  and  I  will  admonish  thee  ! 
O  Israel,  that  thou  wouldst  hearken  to  me  ! 

9  Let  there  be  no  strange  god  within  thee, 
Nor  worship  thou  any  foreign  god  ! 

10  I,  Jehovah,  am  thy  God, 

Who  brought  thee  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt ; 
Open  wide  thy  mouth,  and  I  will  fill  it ! 

11  But  my  people  would  not  listen  to  my  voice, 
And  Israel  would  not  hearken  to  me. 

12  So  I  gave  them  up  to  the  obstinacy  of  their  hearts. 
And  they  walked  according  to  their  own  devices. 

13  "  O  that  my  people  had  hearkened  to  me  ! 
That  Israel  had  walked  in  my  ways  ! 

14  Soon  would  I  have  brought  low  their  enemies, 
And  turned  my  hand  against  their  adversaries. 

15  The  haters  of  Jehovah  should  have  become  suppliants  to 

them. 
And  their  prosperity  should  have  endured  for  ever. 


Lxxxii.]  THE   PSALMS.  I79 

16  With  the  finest  of  the  wheat  I  would  have  fed  them, 
And  with  honey  out  of  the  rock  would  I  have  satisfied 
them." 


PSALM  LXXXII. 

Against  unjust  Jewish  magistrates  ;   or,  against  tyrannical  foreign  kings, 
who  oppressed  the  Jewish  nation. 

Ji  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  God  standeth  in  his  holy  assembly, 
He  judgeth  in  the  midst  of  the  gods. 

2  "  How  long  will  ye  judge  unjustly, 
And  favor  the  cause  of  the  wicked  ^ 

3  Defend  the  poor  and  the  fatherless  ; 

Do  justice  to  the  wretched  and  the  needy  ! 

4  Deliver  the  poor  and  the  destitute  ; 
Save  them  from  the  hand  of  the  wicked ! 

5  They  are  without  knowledge  and  without  understanding ; 
They  walk  in  darkness  ; 

Therefore  all  the  foundations  of  the  land  are  shaken. 

6  I  have  said.  Ye  are  gods. 

And  all  of  you  children  of  the  Most  High  ; 

7  But  ye  shall  die  like  men, 

And  fall  like  the  rest  of  the  princes." 

8  Arise,  O  God,  judge  the  earth  ! 
For  all  the  nations  are  thy  possession. 


180  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxiii. 


PSALM  LXXXIIL 

Prayer  against  the  enemies  of  the  Jewish  nation ;  commonly  supposed  to 
have  been  composed  in  the  days  of  Jehoshaphat,  when  a  combination  of 
the  neighbouring  kings  was  formed  against  Judah. 

A  psalm  of  Asaph. 

1  O  God,  keep  not  silence  ! 

Hold  not  thy  peace,  and  be  not  still,  O  God  ! 

2  For,  lo !  thine  enemies  begin  to  rage. 
And  they  who  hate  thee  lift  up  their  heads. 

3  For  they  form  secret  plots  against  thy  people, 
And  consult  together  against  thy  chosen  ones. 

4  "  Come,"  say  they,  "  let  us  blot  them  out  from  the  num- 

ber of  the  nations. 
That  the  name  of  Israel  may  no  more  be  remembered ! " 

5  With  one  consent  they  consult  together, 
Against  thee  do  they  form  a  league, 

6  The  tents  of  Edom  and  the  Ishmaelites, 
Of  Moab  and  the  Hagarenes, 

7  Gebal,  and  Ammon,  and  Amalek, 

The  Philistines,  with  the  inhabitants  of  Tyre. 

8  The  Assyrians  also  are  joined  with  them  ; 
They  lend  their  strength  to  the  children  of  Lot. 

9  Do  to  them  as  to  the  Midianites, 

As  to  Sisera,  as  to  Jabin  at  the  brook  Kison, 

10  Who  perished  at  Endor, 

And  were  trampled  like  dung  to  the  earth. 

11  Make  their  chiefs  like  Oreb  and  Zeeb  ; 

Yea,  all  their  princes  as  Zeba  and  Zalmunna  ! 

12  Who  say,  "  Let  us  seize  on  God's  habitations !  " 


Lxxxiv.]  THE   PSALMS.  181 

13  Make  them,  O  my  God,  like  whirling  chaff. 
Like  stubble  before  the  wind  ! 

14  As  fire  consumeth  the  forest, 

And  as  flame  setteth  the  mountains  in  a  blaze, 

15  So  pursue  them  with  thy  tempest. 
And  terrify  them  with  thy  storm  ! 

16  Cover  their  faces  with  shame. 

That  they  may  seek  thy  name,  O  Jehovah  ! 

17  Let  them  be  confounded  ! 

Yea,  let  them  be  put  to  shame,  and  perish  ! 

18  That  they  may  know  that  thy  name  alone  is  Jehovah ; 
That  thou  art  the  Most  High  over  all  the  earth. 


PSALM  LXXXIV. 

Aspirations  after  the  worship  of  God  in  the  sanctuary. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     On  the  Gittith.     A  psalm  of  the  sons 
of  Korah. 

1  How  lovely  are  thy  tabernacles,  O  Lord  of  hosts  ! 

2  My  soul  longeth,  yea,  fainteth,  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord  ; 
My  heart  and  my  flesh  cry  aloud  for  the  living  God. 

3  The  very  sparrow  finds  an  abode. 

And  the  swallow  a  nest,  where  they  may  lay  their  young, 
By  thine  altars,  O  Lord  of  hosts, 
My  king  and  my  God  ! 

4  Happy  they  who  dwell  in  thy  house, 
Who  are  continually  praising  thee  ! 

5  Happy  the  man  whose  glory  is  in  thee. 
In  whose  heart  are  the  ways  to  Zion  ! 

6  Passing  through  the  valley  of  Baca,  they  make  it  a  fountain, 
And  the  early  rain  covereth  it  with  blessings. 

16 


182  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxv. 

7  They  go  on  from  strength  to  strength, 
Until  they  appear  before  God  in  Zion. 

8  Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord  of  hosts ! 
Give  ear,  O  God  of  Jacob  ! 

9  Look  down,  O  God,  our  shield. 

And  behold  the  face  of  thine  anointed  ! 

10  For  a  day  spent  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand ; 

I  would  rather  stand  at  the  threshold  of  the  house  of  God, 
Than  dwell  in  the  tents  of  wickedness. 

11  For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  a  shield ; 
The  Lord  giveth  grace  and  glory ; 

No  good  thing  doth  he  withhold 
From  them  that  walk  uprightly. 

12  O  Lord  of  hosts, 

Happy  the  man  who  trusteth  in  thee  ! 


PSALM  LXXXV. 

A  prayer  for  the  establishment  and  prosperity  of  the  Jewish  nation  after 
their  return  from  captivity. 

For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korak. 

1  O  Lord,  thou  hast  been  favorable  to  thy  land  ; 
Thou  hast  brought  back  the  captives  of  Jacob  ; 

2  Thou  didst  forgive  the  iniquity  of  thy  people. 
And  cover  all  their  sins  ! 

3  Thou  didst  take  away  all  thy  displeasure. 
And  abate  the  fierceness  of  thy  wrath. 

4  Restore  us,  O  God,  our  saviour, 
And  let  thine  anger  towards  us  cease ! 


Lxxxvi.]  THE    PSALMS.  183 

5  Wilt  thou  be  angry  with  us  for  ever  ? 

Wilt^  thou  continue  thy  wrath  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion ? 

6  Wilt  thou  not  revive  us  again, 

That  thy  people  may  rejoice  in  thee  ? 

7  Show  us  thy  compassion,  O  Lord, 
And  grant  us  thy  powerful  aid ! 

8  I  will  hear  what  God  Jehovah  saith  ! 

Truly  he  speaketh  peace  to  his  people,  and  to  his  servants ; 
Only  let  them  not  turn  again  to  folly ! 

9  Yea,  his  aid  is  near  to  them  that  fear  him, 
That  glory  may  dwell  in  our  land. 

10  Mercy  and  truth  shall  meet  together, 
Righteousness  and  peace  shall  kiss  each  other  ; 

11  Truth  shall  spring  out  of  the  earth  ; 
Righteousness  shall  look  down  from  heaven. 

12  Yea,  Jehovah  will  give  prosperity, 
And  our  land  shall  yield  her  increase. 

13  Righteousness  shall  walk  before  him. 
And  keep  her  steps  in  the  way. 


PSALM  LXXXVI. 

This  psalm  corresponds  very  well  with  its  title.    There  are  numerous  sea- 
sons in  the  life  of  David  to  which  it  will  apply. 

A  "prayer  of  David. 

1  Incline  thine  ear,  O  Lord,  and  hear  me. 
For  I  am  poor  and  distressed  ! 

2  Preserve  my  life,  for  I  am  devoted  to  thee  ! 

Save,  O  thou  my  God,  thy  servant  who  trusteth  in  thee ! 


184  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxvi. 

3  Have  pity  upon  me,  O  Lord, 
For  to  thee  do  I  cry  daily  ! 

4  Revive  the  soul  of  thy  servant, 

For  to  thee,  O  Lord,  do  I  lift  up  my  soul ! 

5  For  thou,  Lord,  art  good,  and  ready  to  forgive, 
Yea,  rich  in  mercy  to  all  that  call  upon  thee  ! 

6  Give  ear,  O  Lord,  to  my  prayer, 

And  attend  to  the  voice  of  my  supplication  ! 

7  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  call  upon  thee. 
For  thou  dost  answer  me  ! 

8  Among  the  gods  there  is  none  like  thee,  O  Lord, 
And  there  are  no  works  like  thy  works ! 

9  All  the  nations  which  thou  hast  made  must  come  and  wor- 

ship before  thee,  O  Lord, 
And  glorify  thy  name  ! 

10  For  great  art  thou,  and  wondrous  are  thy  works ; 
Thou  alone  art  God  ! 

11  Teach  me,  O  Lord,  thy  way, 
That  I  may  walk  in  thy  truth ; 
Unite  all  my  heart  to  fear  thy  name ! 

12  I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  my  God,  with  my  whole  heart; 
I  will  give  glory  to  thy  name  for  ever ! 

13  For  thy  kindness  to  me  hath  been  great ; 

Thou  hast  delivered  me  from  the  depths  of  the  underworld ! 

14  O  God,  the  proud  have  risen  against  me  ; 
Bands  of  cruel  men  seek  my  life ; 

For  thee  they  have  no  regard  ! 

15  But  thou,  O  Lord,  art  a  God  full  of  compassion  and  kind- 

ness. 
Long-suffering,  rich  in  mercy  and  truth  ! 

16  Look  upon  me,  and  have  compassion  upon  me  ! 
Impart  thy  strength  to  thy  servant, 

And  save  the  son  of  thy  handmaid  ! 


LXXXvii.,Lxxxviii.]       THE   PSALMS.  185 

17  Show  me  a  signal  token  of  thy  favor, 

That  my  enemies  may  see  it  and  be  confounded ; 
Because  thou,  O  Lord,  helpest  and  comfortest  me  ! 


PSALM  LXXXVII. 

The  glory  of  Zion,  as  the  source  and  centre  of  the  religion  of  the  world. 
*  Jl  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah. 

1  Her  foundation  is  upon  the  holy  mountains  ; 

2  Jehovah  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion 
More  than  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob. 

3  Glorious  things  are  said  of  thee, 
O  city  of  God  ! 

4  "  I  name  Egypt  and  Babylon  among  them  theft  know  me ; 
Behold  !  Philistia,  Tyre,  and  Ethiopia, 

They  also  were  born  there." 

5  And  of  Zion  it  shall  be  said, 

"  Men  of  every  nation  were  born  there. 
And  the  Most  High  hath  established  her." 

6  Jehovah,  when  he  numbereth  the  nations,  shall  write, 
"  These  were  born  there  !  " 

7  Singers  as  well  as  dancers,  — 
All  my  springs  are  in  thee  ! 


PSALM   LXXXVIII. 

Prayer  of  one  in  deep  and  various  distress. 

A  psalm  of  the  sons  of  Korah.     For.  the  leader  of  the  music.      Upon 
wind  instruments.     A  psalm  of  Heman^  the  Ezrahite. 

1      O  Lord,  God  of  my  salvation, 
To  thee  do  I  cry  by  day. 
And  by  night  is  my  prayer  toward  thee  ! 
16* 


18g  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxvui. 

2  Let  my  supplication  come  before  thee ; 
Incline  thine  ear  to  my  cry  ! 

3  For  my  soul  is  full  of  misery, 

And  my  life  draweth  near  to  the  underworld. 

4  I  am  counted  with  those  who  are  going  down  to  the  pit ; 
I  am  .like  one  who  hath  no  strength  left, 

5  Like  one  laid  low  among  the  dead. 
Like  the  slain  "who  lie  in  the  grave, 
Whom  thou  no  more  rememberest. 
And  who  are  cut  off  from  thy  protection. 

6  Thou  hast  placed  me  in  a  deep  pit, 
In  a  dark  and  deep  abyss. 

7  Thy  wrath  presseth  hard  upon  me. 

And  thou  afflictest  me  with  all  thy  waves  ! 

8  Thou  ha&t  put  mine  acquaintances  far  from  me, 
Yea,  thou  hast  made  me  their  abhorrence  ; 

I  am  shut  up,  and  cannot  go  forth. 

9  Mine  eyes  languish  by  reason  of  my  affliction. 
I  call  upon  thee  daily,  O  Lord, 

To  thee  do  I  stretch  out  my  hands ! 

10  Canst  thou  show  wonders  to  the  dead  ? 
Shall  the  dead  arise,  and  praise  thee  ?  • 

11  Shall  thy  goodness  be  declared  in  the  grave, 
Or  thy  faithfulness  in  the  place  of  corruption  ? 

12  Shall  thy  wonders  be  known  in  the  dark, 
And  thy  justice  in  the  land  of  forge tfulness  ? 

13  To  thee  do  I  cry,  O  Lord, 

In  the  morning  doth  my  cry  come  before  thee  ! 

14  Why,  O  Lord,  dost  thou  cast  me  off  .^ 
Why  hidest  thou  thy  face  from  me  .'' 

15  I  have  been  afflicted  and  languishing  from  my  youth ; 
I  suffer  thy  terrors,  and  am  distracted. 


Lxxxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  187 

16  Thy  fierce  wrath  overwhelmeth  me  ; 
Thy  terrors  utterly  destroy  me. 

17  They  surround  me  daily  like  water ; 
They  compass  me  about  together. 

18  Lover  and  friend  hast  thou  put  far  from  me  ; 
My  acquaintances  are  withdrawn  from  my  sight. 


PSALM  LXXXIX. 

Prayer  for  the  race  and  kingdom  of  David. 
A  psalm  of  Ethan,  the  Ezrahite. 

1  I  WILL  sing  of  the  mercies  of  the  Lord  for  ever ; 
With  my  mouth  will  I  make  known  thy  faithfulness  to  all 

generations ! 

2  For  I  know  that  thy  mercy  endureth  for  ever ; 
Thou  hast  established  thy  truth  like  the  heavens. 

3  "  I  have  made  a  covenant  with  my  chosen  • 
I  have  sworn  to  David,  my  servant ; 

4  Thy  family  I  will  establish  for  ever, 

And  build  up  thy  throne  to  all  generations." 

5  The  heavens  shall  praise  thy  wonders,  O  Lord, 
And  the  assembly  of  the  holy  ones  thy  truth ! 

6  Who  in  the  heavens  can  be  compared  to  Jehovah  ? 
Who  is  like  Jehovah  among  the  sons  of  God  ? 

7  A  God  greatly  to  be  feared  in  the  assembly  of  the  holy 

ones, 
And  to  be  had  in  reverence  above  all  who  are  around  him  ^ 

8  O  Jehovah,  God  of  hosts ! 

Who  is  mighty  like  thee,  O  Jehovah  ? 
And  thy  faithfulness  is  round  about  thee. 


188  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxix. 

9  Thou  rulest  the  raging  of  the  sea  ; 
When  the  waves  thereof  rise,  thou  stillest  them  ! 

10  Thou  didst  break  Rahab  in  pieces,  as  one  that  is  slain  ; 
Thou  didst  scatter  thine  enemies  with  thy  mighty  arm. 

11  The  heavens  are  thine  ;  thine  also  is  the  earth ; 

The  world  and  all  that  is  therein,  thou  didst  found  them. 

12  The  North  and  the  South  were  created  by  thee  ; 
Tabor  and  Hermon  rejoice  in  thy  name. 

13  Thine  is  a  mighty  arm  ; 

Strong  is  thy  hand,  and  high  thy  right  hand. 

14  Justice  and  equity  are  the  foundation  of  thy  throne ; 
Mercy  and  truth  go  before  thy  face. 

15  Happy  the  people  that  know  the  trumpet's  sound  ! 
They  walk,  O  Lord,  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance  ; 

16  In  thy  name  they  daily  rejoice, 

And  in  thy  righteousness  they  glory  ! 

17  For  thou  art  the  glory  of  their  strength ; 
Yea,  through  thy  favor  we  lift  up  our  heads  ! 

18  For  from  Jehovah  is  our  shield. 

And  from  the  Holy  One  of  Israel  is  our  king. 

19  Once  thou  spakest  in  a  vision  to  thy  holy  one, 

And  saidst,  — "  I  have  laid  help  on  one  that  is  mighty ; 
I  have  exalted  one  chosen  from  the  people  ; 

20  I  have  found  David,  my  servant ; 
With  my  holy  oil  have  I  anointed  him. 

21  With  him  shall  my  hand  be  firm. 
And  my  arm  shall  support  him. 

22  The  enemy  shall  not  have  power  over  him, 
Nor  shall  the  unrighteous  man  oppress  him. 

23  For  I  will  beat  down  his  foes  before  him, 
And  overthrow  them  that  hate  him. 

24  My  faithfulness  and  mercy  shall  be  with  him, 
And  through  my  name  shall  his  head  be  exalted. 


Lxxxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  189 

25  I  will  extend  his  hand  to  the  sea, 
And  his  right  hand  to  the  rivers. 

26  He  shall  say  to  me, '  Thou  art  my  father. 
My  God,  and  the  rock  of  my  salvation  ! ' 

27  I  will  also  make  him  my  first-born. 
Highest  of  the  kings  of  the  earth. 

28  My  mercy  I  will  continue  to  him  for  ever  ; 
My  covenant  with  him  shall  be  steadfast. 

29  I  will  make  his  family  to  endure  for  ever ; 

And  his  throne  shall  be  as  lasting  as  the  heavens. 

30  Should  his  children  forsake  my  law, 
And  walk  not  in  my  statutes, 

31  Should  they  break  my  commandments. 
And  observe  not  my  precepts, 

32  I  will  punish  their  transgressions  with  a  rod. 
And  their  iniquity  with  stripes. 

33  But  my  kindness  will  I  not  withdraw  from  him, 
Nor  suffer  my  faithfulness  to  fail. 

34  I  will  not  break  my  covenant. 

Nor  alter  what  hath  gone  from  my  lips. 

35  Once  have  I  sworn  in  my  holiness. 
That  I  will  not  be  false  unto  David. 

36  His  family  shall  endure  for  ever. 
And  his  throne  as  the  sun  before  me. 

37  It  shall  be  established  for  ever  like  the  moon  ; 
Like  the  faithful  witness  in  the  sky." 

38  TBut  now  thou  forsakest,  and  abhorrest, 
And  art  angry  with  thine  anointed. 

39  Thou  hast  made  void  the  covenant  with  thy  servant ; 
Thou  hast  cast  his  crown  to  the  ground. 

40  Thou  hast  broken  down  all  his  hedges  ; 
Thou  hast  brought  his  strongholds  to  ruin. 


190  THE   PSALMS.  [lxxxix. 

41  All  who  pass  by  plunder  him  ; 

He  is  a  reproach  to  his  neighbours. 

42  Thou  hast  lifted  up  the  right  hand  of  his  enemies  ; 
Thou  hast  made  all  his  adversaries  to  rejoice. 

43  Yea,  thou  hast  turned  the  edge  of  his  sword, 
And  made  him  unable  to  stand  in  battle. 

44  Thou  hast  brought  his  glory  to  an  end. 

And  hast  cast  down  his  throne  to  the  ground. 

45  Thou  hast  shortened  the  days  of  his  youth  ; 
Thou  hast  covered  him  with  shame. 

46  How  long,  O  Lord,  wilt  thou  utterly  hide  thyself  ^ 
How  long  shall  thine  anger  burn  like  fire  ? 

47  Remember  how  short  is  my  life. 

To  what  frailty  thou  hast  created  all  men  ! 

48  What  man  liveth,  and  seeth  not  death  ? 

Who  can  deliver  himself  from  the  underworld  ? 

49  Where,  Lord,  is  thy  former  loving-kindness 
Which  thou  didst  swear  to  David  in  thy  truth  ? 

50  Remember,  O  Lord,  the  reproach  of  thy  servants. 

How  I  bear  in  my  bosom  the  taunts  of  all  the  many  nations, 

51  With  which  thine  enemies  have  reproached  me,  O  Lord, 
With  which  they  have  reproached  the  footsteps  of  thine 

anointed ! 


52      Praised  he  Jehovah  for  ever  ! 
Amen,  yea,  amen  ! 


BOOK    IV. 


PSALM  XC. 

The  eternity  of  God,  and  the  frailty  of  man.    Prayer  for  divine  mercy  and 
forbearance. 

A  prayer  of  Moses,  the  man  of  God. 

1  Lord,  thou  hast  been  our  refuge 
In  all  generations  ! 

2  Before  the  mountains  were  brought  forth, 

Or  ever  thou  hadst  formed  the  earth  and  the  world, 
Even  from  everlasting  to  everlasting  art  thou,  O  God  ! 

3  But  man  thou  turnest  again  to  dust, 

And  sayest,  "  Return,  ye  children  of  men!  " 

4  For  a  thousand  years  are,  in  thy  sight. 
As  yesterday  when  it  is  past. 

And  as  a  watch  in  the  night. 

5  Thou  earnest  him  away,  as  with  a  flood  ; 
He  is  a  dream  ; 

In  the  morning,  he  springeth  up  like  grass, 

6  Which  flourisheth  and  shooteth  up  in  the  morning, 
And  in  the  evening  is  cut  down,  and  withered. 

7  For  we  are  consumed  by  thine  anger, 
And  by  thy  wrath  are  we  destroyed. 

8  Thou  settest  our  iniquhies  before  thee. 
Our  secret  sins  in  the  light  of  thy  presence. 


192  THE  PSALMS.  [xci. 

9  By  reason  of  thine  anger  all  our  days  vanish  away  ; 
We  bring  our  years  to  an  end  like  a  thought. 

10  The  days  of  our  life  are  threescore  years  and  ten, 
And,  by  reason  of  strength,  may  be  fourscore  years  ; 
Yet  is  the  pride  of  them  weariness  and  sorrow ; 
For  it  vanisheth  swiftly,  and  we  fly  away. 

11  Yet  who  attendeth  to  the  power  of  thine  anger  ? 
Who  with  due  reverence  regardeth  thine  indignation .'' 

12  Teach  us  so  to  number  our  days, 

That  we  may  apply  our  hearts  to  wisdom  ! 

13  Desist,  O  Jehovah !   How  long ? 


Have  compassion  upon  thy  servants  ! 

14  Satisfy  us  speedily  with  thy  mercy. 

That  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days  ! 

15  Make  us  glad  according  to  the  time  in  which  thou  hast 

afflicted  us, 
According  to  the  years  in  which  we  have  seen  adversity  ! 

16  Let  thy  deeds  be  known  to  thy  servants. 
And  thy  glory  to  their  children  ! 

17  Let  the  favor  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us, 
And  establish  for  us  the  work  of  our  hands ; 
Yea,  the  work  of  our  hands,  establish  thou  it ! 


PSALM  XCI. 

The  happiness  of  him  who  puts  his  trust  in  God. 

1  He  who  sitteth  under  the  shelter  of  the  Most  High 
Maketh  his  abode  in  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty. 

2  I  say  to  Jehovah,  Thou  art  my  refuge  and  my  fortress, 
My  God,  in  whom  I  trust. 


xci.]  THE   PSALMS.  I93 

3  Surely  he  will  deliver  thee  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler, 
And  from  the  wasting  pestilence  ; 

4  He  will  cover  thee  with  his  feathers, 
And  under  his  wings  shalt  thou  be  safe ; 

His  faithfulness  shall  be  thy  shield  and  buckler. 

5  Thou  shalt  not  be  afraid  of  the  terror  of  the  night, 
Nor  of  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day  ; 

6  Nor  of  the  pestilence  that  walketh  in  darkness, 
Nor  of  the  plague  that  destroyeth  at  noonday. 

7  A  thousand  shall  fall  by  thy  side, 
And  ten  thousand  at  thy  right  hand, 
But  thee  it  shall  not  touch. 

8  Thou  shalt  only  behold  with  thine  eyes. 
And  see  the  recompense  of  the  wicked. 

9  Because  thou  hast  made  the  Lord  thy  refuge, 
And  the  Most  High  thy  shelter, 

10  No  evil  shall  befall  thee. 

Nor  any  plague  come  near  thy  dwelling. 

11  For  he  will  give  his  angfels  charge  over  thee, 
To  guard  thee  in  all  thy  ways ; 

12  They  shall  bear  thee  up  in  their  hands. 
Lest  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone. 

13  Thou  shalt  tread  upon  the  lion  and  the  adder  ; 

The  young  lion  and  the  dragon  shalt  thou  trample  under 
foot. 

14  "  Because  he  loveth  me,  I  will  deliver  him ; 

I  will  set  him  on  high,  because  he  hath  regard  to  my  name. 

15  When  he  calleth  upon  me,  I  will  answer  him ; 
I  will  be  with  him  in  trouble  ; 

I  will  deliver  him,  and  bring  him  to  honor. 

16  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him, 
And  show  him  my  salvation." 

17 


194  THE  PSALMS.  [xcii. 

PSALM   XCII. 

Praise  to  God,  as  the  moral  governor  of  the  world. 
A  fsalm  for  the  Sahhath-day. 

1  It  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  to  the  Lord, 
And  to  sing  praises  to  thy  name,  O  Most  High  ! 

2  To  show  forth  thy  loving-kindness  in  the  morning. 
And  thy  faithfuhiess  every  night, 

3  Upon  the  ten-stringed  instrument  and  the  lute. 
Upon  the  harp  with  a  solemn  sound. 

4  For  thou,  Lord,  hast  made  me  glad  by  thy  doings  ; 
In  the  works  of  thy  hands  I  greatly  rejoice  ! 

5  How  great  are  thy  works,  O  Lord  ! 
How  deep  thy  purposes ! 

6  But  the  unwise  man  knoweth  not  this, 
And  the  fool  understandeth  it  not. 

7  When  the  wicked  spring  up  like  grass, 
And  all  who  practise  iniquity  flourish. 
It  is  but  to  be  destroyed  for  ever  ! 

8  Thou,  O  Lord,  art  for  ever  exalted  ! 

9  For,  lo  !  thine  enemies,  O  Lord, 
For,  lo  !  thine  enemies  perish, 

And  dispersed  are  all  who  do  iniquity  ! 

10  But  my  horn  thou  exaltest,  like  the  buffalo's  ; 
I  am  anointed  with  fresh  oil. 

11  Mine  eye  hath  gazed  with  joy  upon  mine  enemies  ; 
Mine  ears  have  heard  with  joy  of  my  wicked  adversaries. 

12  The  righteous  shall  flourish  like  the  palm-tree  ; 
They  shall  grow  up  like  the  cedars  of  Lebanon ; 


xciii.,  xciv.]  THE   PSALMS.  195 

13  Planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord, 

They  shall  flourish  in  the  courts  of  our  God. 

14  Even  in  old  age  they  bring  forth  fruit ; 
They  are  green  and  full  of  sap  ; 

15  To  show  that  the  Lord,  my  rock,  is  upright, 
That  there  is  no  unrighteousness  in  him. 


PSALM  xcin. 

Praise  of  God  as  the  controller  of  all  nature,  and  the  protector  of  his 
people. 

1  Jehovah  reigneth  ;  he  is  clothed  with  majesty  ; 
Jehovah  is  clothed  with  majesty,  and  with  strength  girded ; 
Therefore  the  earth  standeth  firm,  and  cannot  be  moved, 

2  Thy  throne  was  established  of  old  ; 
Thou  art  from  everlasting  ! 

3  The  floods,  O  Jehovah, 

The  floods  lift  up  their  voice. 
The  floods  lift  up  their  roaring ! 

4  Mightier  than  the  voice  of  many  waters. 
Yea,  than  the  mighty  waves  of  the  sea. 
Is  Jehovah  in  his  lofty  habitation. 

5  Thy  promises  are  most  sure  ; 

Holiness  becometh  thy  house,  O  Jehovah,  for  ever ! 


PSALM  XCIV. 


Prayer  for  the  punishment  of  the  oppressors  of  the  Jewish  nation. 


1      O  Lord,  thou  God  of  vengeance ! 
O  thou  God  of  vengeance,  shine  forth ! 


196  THE   PSALMS.  [xciv. 

2  Rouse  thyself,  thou  judge  of  the  earth  ! 
Render  a  recompense  to  the  proud  ! 

3  How  long,  O  Lord,  shall  the  wicked, 
How  long  shall  the  wicked  triumph  ? 

4  How  long  shall  their  lips  pour  forth  insolence  ? 
How  long  shall  all  the  evil-doers  boast  ? 

5  O  Lord,  they  trample  upon  thy  people, 
And  oppress  thine  inheritance  ! 

6  They  slay  the  widow,  and  the  stranger, 
And  murder  the  fatherless  ; 

7  And  they  say,  "  The  Lord  doth  not  see  , 
The  God  of  Jacob  doth  not  regard  it ! " 

8  Be  instructed,  ye  most  stupid  of  mankind ! 
O,  when,  ye  fools,  will  ye  be  wise  ? 

9  He  that  planted  the  ear,  shall  he  not  hear  ? 
He  that  formed  the  eye,  shall  he  not  see  ? 

10  He  that  chastiseth  nations,  shall  not  he  punish  ? 

He  that  teacheth  man  knowledge,  shall  not  he  know  ? 

11  The  Lord  knoweth  the  thoughts  of  men, 
That  they  are  vanity. 

12  Happy  the  man,  O  Lord,  whom  thou  correctest. 
Whom  by  thy  teaching  thou  makest  wise  ; 

13  To  give  him  peace  in  the  days  of  adversity. 
Until  a  pit  be  digged  for  the  wicked  ! 

14  For  the  Lord  will  not  forsake  his  people, 
Nor  abandon  his  own  inheritance. 

15  For  judgment  shall  return  to  justice, 

And  all  the  upright  in  heart  shall  follow  it. 

16  Who  will  rise  up  for  me  against  the  wicked  ? 
Who  will  stand  up  for  me  against  the  evil-doers  > 


xcv.]  THE   PSALMS.  I97 

17  If  the  Lord  had  not  been  my  help, 

I  had  well  nigh  dwelt  in  the  land  of  silence. 

IS  When  I  think  that  my  foot  is  slipping, 
Thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  holdeth  me  up ! 

19  In  the  multitude  of  anxieties  within  me, 
Thy  consolations  revive  my  soul. 

20  Wilt  thou  be  allied  with  the  throne  of  iniquity. 
Which  deviseth  mischief  against  law  ? 

21  They  band  together  against  the  life  of  the  righteous, 
And  condemn  innocent  blood. 

22  But  the  Lord  is  my  fortress. 

And  my  God  the  rock  of  my  refuge. 

23  He  will  bring  upon  them  their  own  iniquity ; 

Yea,  through  their  own  wickedness  he  will  cut  them  off; 
Yea,  the  Lord,  our  God,  will  cut  them  off. 


PSALM  XCV. 

Exhortation  to  praise  and  obey  God. 

1  O  COBIE,  let  us  sing  to  the  Lord ; 

Let  us  raise  a  voice  of  joy  to  the  rock  of  our  salvation ! 

2  Let  us  come  into  his  presence  with  thanksgiving. 
And  sing  joyfully  to  him  with  psalms ! 

3  For  Jehovah  is  a  great  God ; 
Yea,  a  great  king  over  all  gods. 

4  In  his  hands  are  the  depths  of  the  earth  ; 
His,  also,  are  the  heights  of  the  mountains. 

5  The  sea  is  his,  for  he  made  it ; 
The  dry  land  also  his  hands  formed. 

17* 


198  THE   PSALMS.  [xcvi. 

6  O  come,  let  us  worship  and  bow  down ! 
Let  us  kneel  before  the  Lord,  our  maker ! 

7  For  he  is  our  God, 

And  we  the  people  of  his  pasture  and  the  flock  of  his  hand. 

O  that  ye  would  now  hear  his  voice  ! 

8  "  Harden  not  your  hearts  as  at  Meribah, 

As  in  the  day  of  temptation  in  the  wilderness, 

9  Where  your  fathers  tempted  me 

And  tried  me,  although  they  had  seen  my  works. 

10  Forty  years  was  I  offended  with  that  race, 

And  I  said.  They  are  a  people  of  a  perverse  heart, 
And  who  have  no  regard  to  my  ways. 

11  Therefore  I  sware,  in  my  wrath. 

That  they  should  not  enter  into  my  rest." 


PSALM  XCVI. 

Exhortation  to  the  praise  and  worship  of  God.  This  psalm  is,  with  some 
slight  variations,  a  part  of  that  contained  in  1  Chron.,  ch.  xvi.,  and  said  to 
have  been  composed  by  David  on  the  occasion  of  the  translation  of  the 
ark  to  Mount  Zion.    See  1  Chron.  xvi.  7,  23-33. 

1  O  SING  to  Jehovah  a  new  song. 
Sing  to  Jehovah,  all  the  earth ! 

2  Sing  to  Jehovah  ;  praise  his  name. 
Show  forth  his  salvation,  from  day  to  day  ! 

3  Proclaim  his  glory  among  the  nations. 
His  wonders  among  all  people  ! 

4  For  Jehovah  is  great,  and  greatly  to  be  praised  ; 
He  is  to  be  feared  above  all  gods. 

5  For  all  the  gods  of  the  nations  are  idols  ; 
But  Jehovah  made  the  heavens. 


xcvii.J  THE   PSALMS.  199 

6  Honor  and  majesty  are  before  him, 
Glory  and  beauty  are  in  his  holy  abode. 

7  Give  to  Jehovah,  ye  tribes  of  the  people, 
Give  to  Jehovah  glory  and  praise  ! 

8  Give  to  Jehovah  the  glory  due  to  his  name ; 
Bring  an  offering,  and  come  into  his  courts ! 

9  O  worship  Jehovah  in  holy  attire  ! 
Tremble  before  him,  all  the  earth! 

10  Say  among  the  nations,  Jehovah  is  king ; 

The  world  shall  stand  firm  ;  it  shall  not  be  moved  ; 
He  will  judge  the  nations  in  righteousness. 

11  Let  the  heavens  be  glad,  and  the  earth  rejoice  ; 
Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof ; 

12  Let  the  fields  be  joyful,  with  all  that  is  therein, 
Let  all  the  trees  of  the  forest  rejoice 

13  Before  Jehovah  !  for  he  cometh. 
He  cometh  to  judge  the  earth  ! 

He  will  judge  the  world  with  justice, 
And  the  nations  with  faithfulness. 


PSALM  XCVII. 

Praise  to  God  as  the  supreme  ruler,  the  punisher  of  the  idolatrous  enemies 
of  the  Jews,  and  the  rewarder  of  his  worshippers.  This  psalm  was  prob- 
ably occasioned  by  some  victory  gained  by  the  Jews. 

1  The  Lord  reigneth,  let  the  earth  rejoice  ! 
Let  the  multitude  of  isles  be  glad  ! 

2  Clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  him. 
Justice  and  equity  are  the  foundation  of  his  throne. 

3  Before  him  goeth  a  fire. 

Which  burneth  up  his  enemies  around. 

4  His  lightnings  illumine  the  world  ; 
The  earth  behold eth  and  trembleth. 


200  THE   PSALMS.  [xcviii. 

5  The  mountains  melt  like  wax  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
At  the  presence  of  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth. 

6  The  heavens  declare  his  righteousness, 
And  all  nations  behold  his  glory. 

7  Confounded  be  they  who  worship  graven  images. 
Who  glory  in  idols  ! 

To  him,  all  ye  gods,  bow  down  ! 

8  Zion  hath  heard,  and  is  glad. 
And  the  daughters  of  Judah  exult 

On  account  of  thy  judgments,  O  Lord  ! 

9  For  thou,  O  Lord,  art  most  high  above  all  the  earth  ; 
Thou  art  far  exalted  above  all  gods  ! 

10  Ye  that  love  the  Lord,  hate  evil ! 
He  preserveth  the  lives  of  his  servants. 

And  delivereth  them  from  the  hand  of  the  wicked. 

11  Light  is  sown  for  the  righteous. 
And  joy  for  the  upright  in  heart. 

12  Rejoice,  O  ye  righteous,  in  the  Lord, 
And  praise  his  holy  name  ! 


PSALM  xcvin. 

A  psalm  of  praise  to  God,  probably  on  a  similar  occasion  with  the  last. 
A  psalm. 

1  Sing  to  the  Lord  a  new  song  ; 
For  he  hath  done  marvellous  things  ; 

His  own  right  hand  and  his  holy  arm  have  gotten  him  tlie 
victory  ! 

2  The  Lord  hath  made  known  his  salvation ; 

His  goodness  hath  he  manifested  in  the  sight  of  the  nations. 


xcix.]  THE   PSALMS.  201 

3  He  hath  remembered  his  mercy  and  truth  toward  the  house 

of  Israel, 
And  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  have  seen  the  salvation  of 
our  God. 

4  Shout  unto  the  Lord,  all  the  earth  ! 
Break  forth  into  joy,  and  exult,  and  sing ! 

5  Sing  to  the  Lord  with  the  harp. 
With  the  harp,  and  the  voice  of  song  ! 

6  With  clarions,  and  the  sound  of  trumpets. 
Make  a  joyful  noise  before  the  Lord,  the  king ! 

7  Let  the  sea  roar,  and  the  fulness  thereof  5 
The  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein ; 

8  Let  the  rivers  clap  their  hands. 
And  the  mountains  rejoice  together 

9  Before  the  Lord  !  for  he  cometh  to  judge  the  earth  ! 
With  righteousness  will  he  judge  the  world, 

And  the  nations  with  equity. 


PSALM  XCIX. 

Hymn  of  praise. 

1  Jehovah  reigneth,  let  the  nations  tremble  ! 

He  sitteth  between  the  cherubs,  let  the  earth  quake  ! 

2  Great  is  Jehovah  upon  Zion, 

He  is  exalted  over  all  the  nations. 

3  Let  men  praise  thy  great  and  terrible  name  ! 
It  is  holy. 

4  Let  them  declare  the  glory  of  the  king  who  loveth  justice ! 
Thou  hast  established  equity  ; 

Thou  dost  execute  justice  in  Jacob ! 


202  THE   PSALMS.  [c. 

5  Exalt  ye  Jehovah,  our  God, 

And  bow  yourselves  down  at  his  footstool ! 
He  is  holy. 

6  Moses  and  Aaron,  with  his  priests, 
And  Samuel,  who  called  upon  his  name, 

They  called  upon  Jehovah,  and  he  answered  them. 

7  He  spake  to  them  in  the  cloudy  pillar  ; 
They  kept  his  commandments. 

And  the  ordinances  which  he  gave  them. 

8  Thou,  O  Jehovah,  our  God,  didst  answer  them  ; 
Thou  wast  to  them  a  forgiving  God, 

Though  thou  didst  punish  their  transgressions ! 

9  Exalt  Jehovah,  our  God, 

And  worship  at  his  holy  mountain  ! 
For  Jehovah,  our  God,  is  holy. 


PSALM  G. 

Exhortation  to  praise  God. 
A  psalm  of  praise. 

1  Raise  a  voice  of  joy  unto  the  Lord,  all  ye  lands  ! 

2  Serve  the  Lord  with  gladness  ; 

Come  before  his  presence  with  rejoicing  ! 

3  Know  ye  that  Jehovah  is  God  ! 

It  is  he  that  made  us,  and  we  are  his ; 
His  people,  and  the  flock  of  his  pasture. 

4  Enter  into  his  gates  with  thanksgiving. 
And  his  courts  with  praise  ; 

Be  thankful  to  him,  and  bless  his  name  ! 


CI.]  THE   PSALMS.  203 

5  For  the  Lord  is  good  ;  his  mercy  is  everlasting  ; 
And  his  truth  endureth  to  all  generations. 


PSALM  CI. 

Resolution  of  a  king  to  govern  with  justice.  This  psalm  is  supposed  to 
have  been  composed  by  David,  vv^hen  he  removed  the  ark  to  Mount 
Zion. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  I  WILL  sing  of  goodness  and  justice  ; 
To  thee,  O  Lord,  will  I  sing  ! 

2  I  will  have  regard  to  the  way  of  uprightness  ; 
When  thou  shalt  come  to  me, 

I  shall  walk  within  my  house  with  an  upright  heart. 

3  I  will  set  no  wicked  thing  before  mine  eyes  ; 
I  hate  the  conduct  of  transgressors  ; 

It  shall  not  cleave  to  me. 

4  The  perverse  in  heart  shall  be  far  from  me ; 
I  will  not  favor  a  wicked  person. 

5  The  secret  slanderer  I  will  cut  off ; 

Him  that  hath  a  haughty  look  and  a  proud  heart  I  will 
not  endure. 

6  Mine  eyes  shall  be  upon  the  faithful  of  the  land,  that  they 

may  dwell  with  me  ; 
He  that  walketh  in  the  way  of  uprightness  shall  serve  me. 

7  He  who  practiseth  deceit  shall  not  dwell  in  my  house ; 
He  who  telleth  lies  shall  not  remain  in  my  sight. 

8  Every  morning  will  I  destroy  the  wicked  of  the  land, 
Till  I  cut  off  from  the  city  of  Jehovah  all  evil-doers. 


204  THE  PSALMS.  [cii. 


PSALM  CIL 

This  psalm  was  undoubtedly  composed  in  the  time  of  the  captivity,  and 
probably  near  the  close  of  it,  when  hopes  were  cherished  of  a  restora- 
tion. 

A  prayer  of  the  afflicted,  when  in  deep  distress  he  poureth  out  his  com- 
plaint before  Jehovah. 

1  Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord, 
And  let  my  cry  come  unto  thee  ! 

2  Hide  not  thy  face  from  me  in  the  day  of  my  trouble  ; 
Incline  thine  ear  to  me  when  I  call ; 

Answer  me  speedily ! 

3  For  my  life  is  consumed  like  smoke, 

And  my  bones  are  burned  like  stubble.  / 

4  My  heart  is  smitten  and  withered  like  grass  ; 
Yea,  I  forget  to  eat  my  bread. 

5  By  reason  of  my  sighing  my  bones  cleave  to  my  skin ; 

6  I  am  like  the  pelican  of  the  wilderness  ; 
I  am  like  the  owl  of  the  desert. 

7  I  am  sleepless, 

I  am  like  a  solitary  bird  upon  the  house-top. 

8  All  the  day  long  my  enemies  reproach  me  ; 
They  who  rage  against  me  curse  by  me. 

9  For  I  eat  ashes  like  bread. 

And  mingle  my  drink  with  tears, 

10  On  account  of  thine  indignation  and  thy  wrath ; 
For  thou  hast  lifted  me  up  and  cast  me  down  ! 

11  My  life  is  like  a  declining  shadow. 
And  I  wither  like  grass. 

12  But  thou,  O  Lord,  endurest  for  ever. 

And  thy  name  from  generation  to  generation  ! 


cii.]  THE   PSALMS.  205 

13  Thou  wilt  arise  and  have  pity  upon  Zion, 

For  the  time  to  favor  her,  yea,  the  set  time,  is  come. 

14  For  thy  servants  take  pleasure  in  her  stones ; 
Yea,  they  have  a  regard  for  her  dust. 

15  Then  shall  the  nations  fear  the  name  of  Jehovah, 
And  all  the  kings  of  the  earth  thy  glory. 

16  For  Jehovah  will  build  up  Zion  ; 
He  will  appear  in  his  glory. 

17  He  will  regard  the  prayer  of  the  destitute, 
And  not  despise  their  supplication. 

18  This  shall  be  written  for  the  generation  to  come. 
That  the  people  to  be  born  may  praise  Jehovah. 

19  For  he  looketh  down  from  his  high  sanctuary. 
From  heaven  doth  he  cast  his  eye  upon  the  earth, 

20  To  listen  to  the  sighs  of  the  prisoner, 

To  release  those  that  are  doomed  to  death ; 

21  That  they  may  declare  the  name  of  Jehovah  in  Zion, 
And  his  praise  in  Jerusalem, 

22  When  the  nations  are  assembled  together, 
And  the  kingdoms  to  serve  Jehovah. 

23  He  weakeneth  my  strength  by  the  way. 
He  shorteneth  my  days. 

24  I  say,  O  my  God,  take  me  not  away  in  the  midst  of  my 

days. 
Thy  years  endure  through  all  generations  ! 

25  Of  old  hast  thou  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth, 
And  the  heavens  are  the  work  of  thy  hands  ; 

26  They  shall  perish,  but  thou  shalt  endure  ; 
Yea,  all  of  them  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment ; 
Thou  shalt  change  them  as  a  vesture. 

And  they  shall  be  changed  ; 
18 


206  THE  PSALMS.  [cm. 

27  But  thou  art  the  same  ; 
Thy  years  have  no  end  ! 

28  The  children  of  thy  servants  shall  abide, 

And  their  posterity  shall  be  established  before  thee. 


PSALM  cm. 

Praise  to  God  for  his  righteousness  and  mercy. 
A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul. 

And  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his  holy  name  ! 

2  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
And  forget  not  all  his  benefits  ! 

3  Who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities ; 
Who  healeth  all  thy  diseases  ; 

4  Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  the  grave  ; 

Who  crowneth  thee  with  loving-kindness  and  tender  mer- 
cies; 

5  Who  satisfieth  thine  old  age  with  good, 

So  that  thy  youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's. 

6  The  Lord  executeth  justice 
And  equity  for  all  the  oppressed. 

7  He  made  known  his  ways  to  Moses, 
His  doings  to  the  children  of  Israel. 

8  The  Lord  is  merciful  and  kind. 
Slow  to  anger  and  rich  in  mercy. 

9  He  doth  not  always  chide. 

Nor  doth  he  keep  his  anger  for  ever. 


cm.]  THE   PSALMS.  207 

10  He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  according  to  our  sins, 
Nor  requited  us  according  to  our  iniquities. 

11  As  high  as  are  the  heavens  above  the  earth, 
So  great  is  his  mercy  to  them  that  fear  him. 

12  As  far  as  the  east  is  from  ihe  west. 

So  far  hath  he  removed  our  transgressions  from  us. 

13  Even  as  a  father  pitieth  his  children, 
So  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear  him. 

14  For  he  knoweth  our  frame. 

He  remembereth  that  we  are  dust. 

15  As  for  man,  his  days  are  as  grass  ; 

As  a  flower  of  the  field,  so  he  flourisheth. 

16  The  wind  passeth  over  it,  and  it  is  gone  ; 
And  its  place  shall  know  it  no  more. 

17  But  the  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from  everlasting  to  everlast- 

ing to  them  that  fear  him. 
And  his  goodness  to  children's  children, 

18  To  such  as  keep  his  covenant. 

And  remember  his  commandments  to  do  them. 

19  The  Lord  hath  established  his  throne  in  the  heavens. 
And  his  kingdom  ruleth  over  all. 

20  Bless  the  Lord,  ye  his  angels. 

Ye  mighty  ones^who  do  his  commands, 
Hearkening  to  the  voice  of  his  word  ! 

21  Bless  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  hosts  ; 

Ye,  his  ministers,  who  do  his  pleasure ! 

22  Bless  the  Lord,  all  his  works. 
In  all  places  of  his  dominion  ! 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! 


208  THE   PSALMS.  [civ. 


PSALM   CIV. 

The  power  and  goodness  of  God,  as  displayed  in  the  works  of  creation  and 
providence. 

1  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! 

O  Lord,  my  God  !  thou  art  very  great ! 
Thou  art  clothed  with  glory  and  majesty  ! 

2  He  covereth  himself  with  light  as  with  a  garment  ; 
He  spreadeth  out  the  heavens  like  a  curtain  ; 

3  He  layeth  the  beams  of  his  chambers  on  the  waters  ; 
He  maketh  the  clouds  his  chariot ; 

He  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

4  He  maketh  the  winds  his  messengers, 
The  flaming  lightnings  his  ministers. 

5  He  established  the  earth  on  its  foundations  ; 
It  shall  not  be  removed  for  ever. 

6  Thou  didst  cover  it  with  the  deep  as  with  a  garment ; 
The  waters  stood  above  the  mountains  ! 

7  At  thy  rebuke  they  fled  ; 

At  the  voice  of  thy  thunder  they  hasted  away. 

8  The  mountains  rise,  the  valleys  sink, 

In  the  place  which  thou  hast  appointed  for  them. 

9  Thou   hast  established   a  bound  which  the  waters  may 

not  pass. 
That  they  may  not  return  and  cover  the  earth. 

10  He  sendeth  forth  the  springs  in  brooks  ; 
They  run  among  the  mountains  ; 

11  They  give  drink  to  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest ; 
In  them  the  wild  asses  quench  their  thirst. 


CIV.]  THE   PSALMS.  209 

12  About  them  the  birds  of  heaven  have  their  habitation, 
Which  sing  among  the  branches. 

13  He  watereth  the  hills  from  his  chambers ; 

The  earth  is  satisfied  with  the  fruit  of  thy  works  I 

14  He  causeth  grass  to  spring  up  for  cattle, 
And  herbage  for  the  service  of  man  ; 

He  bringeth  forth  food  out  of  the  earth, 

15  And  wine  that  gladdeneth  the  heart  of  man, 
Making  his  face  to  shine  like  oil, 

And  bread  that  strengtheneth  man's  heart. 

16  The  trees  of  the  Lord  are  full  of  sap. 

The  cedars  of  Lebanon,  which  he  hath  planted  ; 

17  There  the  birds  build  their  nests ; 

In  the  cypresses  the  stork  hath  her  abode. 

18  The  high  hills  are  a  refuge  for  the  wild  goats. 
And  the  rocks  for  the  jerboas. 

19  He  appointed  the  moon  to  mark  seasons  ; 
The  sun  knoweth  when  tO'  go  down. 

20  Thou  makest  darkness,  and  it  is  night. 
When  all  the  beasts  of  the  forest  go  forth ! 

21  The  young  lions  roar  for  prey. 
And  seek  their  food  from  God. 

22  The  sun  ariseth,  they  withdraw  themselves, 
And  lie  down  in  their  dens. 

23  Man  goeth  forth  to  his  work, 

And  to  his  labor,  until  the  evening. 

24  O  Lord,  how  manifold  are  thy  works  ! 
In  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all ! 
The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches  ! 

18* 


210  THE   PSALMS.  [civ. 

25  Lo  !  this  great  and  wide  sea  ! 

In  it  are  living  creatures  innumerable, 
Animals  small  and  great. 

26  There  go  the  ships  ; 

There  is  the   leviathan,  which   thou   hast  made  to  play 
therein. 

27  All  these  look  up  to  thee 

To  give  them  their  food  in  due  season. 

28  Thou  givest  it  to  them,  they  gather  it ; 

Thou  openest  thine  hand,  they  are  satisfied  with  good. 

29  Thou  hidest  thy  face,  they  are  confounded ; 
Thou  takest  away  their  breath,  they  die, 
And  return  to  the  dust. 

30  Thou  sendest  forth  thy  spirit,  they  are  created. 
And  thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth. 

31  The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  endure  for  ever  ; 
The  Lord  shall  rejoice  in  his  works  ; 

32  He  looketh  on  the  earth,  and  it  trembleth ; 
He  toucheth  the  hills,  and  they  smoke. 

33  I  will  sing  to  the  Lord  as  long  as  I  live, 

I  will  sing  praise  to  my  Gt)d  while  I  have  my  being. 

34  May  my  meditation  be  acceptable  to  him  ! 
I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord. 

35  May  sinners  perish  from  the  earth, 
And  the  wicked  be  no  more  ! 
Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul  ! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


cv.]  THE   PSALMS.  211 


PSALM   CV. 

Commemoration  of  God's  goodness  to  the  nation  of  Israel  from  the  earliest 
period  of  their  history.  The  first  fifteen  verses  of  this  psalm  are  a  part  of 
David's  hymn  on  the  removal  of  the  ark  to  Zion,  contained  in  1  Chron. 
xvi.  8-22. 

1  O  GIVE  thanks  unto  the  Lord  ; 
Call  upon  his  name  ; 

Make  known  his  deeds  among  the  people  ! 

2  Sing  unto  him  ;  sing  psalms  unto  him  ; 
Tell  ye  of  all  his  wondrous  works  ! 

3  Glory  ye  in  his  holy  name  ; 

Let  the  hearts  of  them  that  seek  the  Lord  rejoice  ! 

4  Seek  Jehovah,  and  his  majesty  ; 
Seek  his  face  continually  ! 

5  Remember  the  wonders  he  hath  wrought, 
His  miracles  and  the  judgments  of  his  mouth, 

6  Ye  offspring  of  Abraham  his  servant, 
Ye  children  of  Jacob  his  chosen  1 

7  Jehovah,  he  is  our  God, 

His  judgments  are  over  all  the  earth. 

8  He  remembereth  his  covenant  for  ever. 

And  his  promise  to  the  thousandth  generation  ; 

9  The  covenant  which  he  made  with  Abraham, 
And  the  oath  which  he  gave  to  Isaac  ; 

10  Which  he  confirmed  to  Jacob  for  a  decree, 
And  to  Israel  for  an  everlasting  covenant ; 

11  "  To  thee,"  said  he,  "  will  I  give  the  land  of  Canaan 
For  the  lot  of  your  inheritance." 


12     When  they  were  yet  few  in  number. 
Very  few,  and  strangers  in  the  land ; 


212  THE   PSALMS.  [cv. 

13  When  they  went  from  nation  to  nation. 
From  one  kingdom  to  another  people, 

14  He  suffered  no  man  to  oppress  them. 
Yea,  he  rebuked  kings  for  their  sakes. 

15  "  Touch  not,"  said  he,  "  mine  anointed, 
And  do  my  prophets  no  harm  !  " 

16  Again,  when  he  commanded  a  famine  in  the  land. 
And  broke  the  whole  staff  of  bread, 

17  He  sent  a  man  before  them  ; 
Joseph  was  sold  as  a  slave. 

18  His  feet  they  hurt  with  fetters  ; 
He  was  bound  in  chains  of  iron  ; 

19  Until  his  prediction  came  to  pass. 
And  the  word  of  the  Lord  proved  him. 

20  Then  the  king  sent  and  loosed  him  ; 
The  ruler  of  nations,  and  set  him  free  ; 

21  He  made  him  governor  of  his  house. 
And  lord  of  all  his  possessions  ; 

22  To  bind  his  princes  at  his  pleasure, 
And  teach  his  counsellors  wisdom. 

23  Israel  also  came  into  Egypt, 

And  Jacob  sojourned  in  the  land  of  Ham  ; 

24  Where  God  increased  his  people  greatly, 
And  made  them  stronger  than  their  enemies. 

25  He  turned  their  hearts  to  hate  his  people. 
And  form  devices  against  his  servants. 

26  Then  sent  he  Moses  his  servant. 
And  Aaron,  whom  he  had  chosen. 

27  They  showed  his  signs  among  them. 
And  his  wonders  in  the  land  of  Ham. 

28  He  sent  darkness  upon  them,  and  made  it  dark  ; 
And  they  did  not  disobey  his  word. 


cv.]  THE  PSALMS.  213 

29  He  turned  their  waters  into  blood, 
And  caused  their  fish  to  die. 

30  Their  land  brought  forth  frogs  in  abundance, 
Even  in  the  chambers  of  their  kings. 

31  He  spake,  and  there  came  flies, 
And  lice  in  all  their  coasts. 

32  Instead  of  rain  he  gave  them  hail, 
And  flaming  fire  in  their  land. 

33  He  smote  also  their  vines  and  fig-trees. 
And  broke  the  trees  of  their  coasts. 

34  He  spake,  and  the  locusts  came, 
Destructive  locusts  without  number, 

35  Which  ate  up  all  the  herbage  in  their  land. 
And  devoured  the  fruits  of  their  fields. 

36  Then  he  smote  all  the  first-born  in  their  land. 
The  first  fruits  of  all  their  strength. 

37  He  led  forth  his  people  with  silver  and  gold  ; 
Nor  was  there  one  feeble  person  in  all  their  tribes. 

38  Egypt  was  glad  when  they  departed. 
For  their  terror  had  fallen  upon  them. 

39  He  spread  out  a  cloud  for  a  covering, 
And  fire  to  give  light  by  night. 

40  They  asked,  and  he  brought  quails. 

And  satisfied  them  with  the  bread  of  heaven. 

41  He  opened  the  rock,  and  the  waters  gushed  forth. 
And  ran  in  the  dry  places  like  a  river. 

42  For  he  remembered  his  holy  promise. 
Which  he  had  made  to  Abraham  his  servant ; 

43  And  he  led  forth  his  people  with  joy, 
And  his  chosen  with  gladness. 

44  He  gave  to  them  the  lands  of  the  nations. 
And  they  inherited  the  labor  of  the  Gentiles ; 


214  THE   PSALMS.  [cvi. 

45  That  they  might  observe  his  statutes, 
And  obey  his  laws. 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


PSALM  CVI. 

Commemoration  of  the  national  sins  of  the  Jews  throughout  their  history, 
and  of  God's  mercies  to  them.  This  is  evidently  a  psalm  of  the  cap- 
tivity.    See  verses  46,  47, 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

O  give  thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good  ; 
For  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever  ! 

2  Who  can  utter  the  mighty  deeds  of  Jehovah  ? 
Who  can  show  forth  all  his  praise  .'' 

3  Happy  are  they  who  regard  justice, 
Who  practise  righteousness  at  all  times  ! 

4  Remember  me,  O  Lord,  with  the  favor  promised  to  thy 

people  ; 
O  visit  me  with  thy  salvation  ! 

5  That  I  may  see  the  prosperity  of  thy  chosen, 
That  I  may  rejoice  in  the  joy  of  thy  people, 

^    That  I  may  glory  with  thine  inheritance  ! 

6  We  have  sinned  with  our  fathers  ; 

We  have  committed  iniquity  ;  we  have  done  wickedly. 

7  Our  fathers  in  Egypt  did  not  regard  thy  wonders  ; 
They  remembered  not  the  multitude  of  thy  mercies  ; 
But  rebelled  at  the  sea,  the  Red  sea. 

8  Yet  he  saved  them  for  his  own  name's  sake, 

That  he  might  make  his  mighty  power  to  be  known. 


cvi.]  THE   PSALMS.  215 

9  He  rebuked  the  Red  sea,  and  it  was  dried  up, 
And  he  led  them  through  the  deep  as  through  a  desert. 

10  He  saved  them  from  the  hand  of  him  that  hated  them, 
And  redeemed  them  from  the  hand  of  the  enemy. 

11  The  waters  covered  their  enemies  ; 
There  was  not  one  of  them  left. 

12  Then  believed  they  his  words, 
And  sang  his  praise. 

13  But  they  soon  forgot  his  deeds, 
And  waited  not  for  his  counsel. 

14  They  gave  way  to  appetite  in  the  wilderness, 
And  tempted  God  in  the  desert ; 

15  And  he  gave  them  their  request. 
But  sent  upon  them  a  plague. 

16  They  also  envied  Moses  in  the  camp. 
And  Aaron,  the  holy  one  of  Jehovah. 

17  Then  the  earth  opened,  and  swallowed  up  Dathan, 
And  covered  the  company  of  Abiram, 

18  And  a  fire  was  kindled  in  their  company  ; 
The  flames  burned  up  the  wicked. 

19  They  made  a  calf  in  Horeb, 
And  worshipped  a  molten  image  ; 

20  They  changed  their  God  of  glory 
Into  the  image  of  a  grass-eating  ox. 

21  They  forgot  God,  their  saviour. 

Who  had  done  such  great  things  in  Egypt, 

22  Such  wonders  in  the  land  of  Ham, 
Such  terrible  things  by  the  Red  sea. 

23  Then  he  said  that  he  would  destroy  them  ; 

Had  not  Moses,  his  chosen,  stood  before  him  in  the  breach. 
To  turn  away  his  wrath,  that  he  might  not  destroy  them. 


216  THE   PSALMS.  [cvi. 

24  They  also  despised  the  pleasant  land, 
And  believed  not  his  word  ; 

25  But  murmured  in  their  tents, 

And  would  not  hearken  to  the  voice  of  Jehovah. 

26  Then  he  lifted  up  his  hand  against  them, 

And  swore  that  he  would  make  them  fall  in  the  wilderness ; 

27  That  he  would  overthrow  their  descendants  among  the 

nations, 
And  scatter  them  in  the  lands. 

28  They  also  gave  themselves  to  the  worship  of  Baal-peor, 
And  ate  sacrifices  offered  to  lifeless  idols. 

29  Thus  they  provoked  his  anger  by  their  practices, 
And  a  plague  broke  in  upon  them. 

30  Then  stood  up  Phinehas,  and  avenged  the  crime, 
And  the  plague  was  stayed. 

31  And  this  was  counted  to  him  for  righteousness. 
To  all  generations  for  ever. 

32  They  provoked  him  also  at  the  waters  of  Meribah, 
And  evil  befell  Moses  on  their  account. 

33  For  they  provoked  his  spirit. 

So  that  he  spake  inconsiderately  with  his  lips. 

34  They  did  not  destroy  the  nations. 
As  Jehovah  had  commanded  them. 

35  They  mingled  themselves  with  the  heathen, 
And  learned  their  practices. 

36  They  even  worshipped  their  idols. 
And  thus  they  became  to  them  a  snare. 

37  Their  sons  and  their  daughters  they  sacrificed  to  demons, 

38  And  shed  the  blood  of  the  innocent, 

The  blood  of  their  own  sons  and  daughters. 


cvi.]  THE   PSALMS.  217 

Whom  they  sacrificed  to  the  idols  of  Canaan ; 
And  the  land  was  polluted  with  blood. 

39  Thus  they  defiled  themselves  with  their  works, 
And  played  the  harlot  with  their  practices. 

40  Then  burned  the  anger  of  Jehovah  against  his  people, 
So  that  he  abhorred  his  own  inheritance. 

41  And  he  gave  them  into  the  hand  of  the  nations. 
And  they  that  hated  them  ruled  over  them. 

42  Their  enemies  oppressed  them, 

And  they  were  bowed  down  under  their  hand. 

43  Many  times  did  he  deliver  them, 

But  they  provoked  him  by  their  devices. 
And  they  were  brought  low  for  their  iniquities. 

44  Yet,  when  he  heard  their  cries, 
He  regarded  their  affliction  ; 

45  He  remembered  his  covenant  with  them, 

And  relented  according  to  the  greatness  of  his  mercy, 

46  And  caused  them  to  find  pity 
Among  all  that  carried  them  captive. 

47  Save  us,  O  Jehovah,  our  God,  and  gather  us  from  among 

the  nations. 
That  we  may  give  thanks  to  thy  holy  name. 
And  glory  in  thy  praise  ! 

48  Blessed  he  Jehovah^  the  God  of  Israel^ 
From  everlasting  to  everlasting  I 

And  let  all  the  people  say.  Amen  ! 
Praise  ye  Jehovah  ! 


19 


BOOK    V 


PSALM  CVII. 

The  goodness  of  God  to  various  classes  of  men.  This  psalm  appears  from 
its  contents  to  have  been  composed  some  time  after  the  return  from  the 
Babylonish  captivity. 

1  O  GIVE  thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good  ; 
For  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever ! 

2  Let  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  say  it, 

Whom  he  hath  redeemed  from  the  hand  of  the  enemy ; 

3  Whom  he  hath  gathered  from  various  lands. 
From  the  east,  the  west,  the  north,  and  the  south. 

4  They  were  wandering  in  a  solitary  desert. 
They  found  no  way  to  a  city  to  dwell  in. 

5  They  were  hungry  and  thirsty, 
And  their  souls  fainted  within  them. 

6  Then  they  cried  to  the  Lord  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  delivered  them  out  of  their  distress. 

7  He  led  them  in  a  straight  way. 

Till  they  came  to  a  city  where  they  might  dwell. 

8  O  let  them  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness. 
For  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  ! 

9  For  he  satisfieth  the  thirsty, 

And  the  hungry  he  filleth  with  good. 


evil.]  THE   PSALMS.  219 

10  They  dwelt  in  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death, 
Being  bound  in  affliction  and  iron  ; 

11  Because  they  disobeyed  the  commands  of  God, 
And  contemned  the  will  of  the  Most  High ; 

12  Whose  hearts  he  brought  down  by  hardship  ; 
Who  fell  down,  and  there  was  none  to  help. 

13  Then  they  cried  to  the  Lord  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  saved  them  out  of  their  distresses ; 

14  He  brought  them  out  of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death, 
And  brake  their  bands  asunder. 

15  O  let  them  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness, 
For  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  ! 

16  For  he  hath  broken  the  gates  of  brass, 
And  cut  the  bars  of  iron  asunder. 

17  The  foolish,  because  of  their  transgressions, 
And  because  of  their  iniquities,  were  afflicted ; 

18  They  abhorred  all  kinds  of  food  ; 
They  were  near  to  the  gates  of  death. 

19  Then  they  cried  to  the  Lord  in  their  trouble, 
And  he  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses  ; 

20  He  sent  his  word,  and  healed  them. 
And  saved  them  from  their  destruction. 

21  O  let  them  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness, 

.  For  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men ! 

22  Let  them  offer  the  sacrifices  of  thanksgiving, 
And  declare  his  works  with  joy  ! 

23  They  who  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships. 
And  do  business  in  great  waters, 

24  These  see  the  works  of  the  Lord, 
And  his  wonders  in  the  deep. 

25  He  commandeth,  and  raise th  the  stormy  wind. 
Which  lifteth  high  the  waves. 


220  THE   PSALMS»  [cvii. 

26  They  mount  up  to  the  heavens, 
They  sink  down  again  to  the  depths, 
Their  soul  melteth  with  distress  ; 

27  They  reel  and  stagger  like  a  drunken  man, 
And  all  their  skill  is  vain. 

28  Then  they  cry  to  the  Lord  in  their  trouble. 
And  he  saveth  them  out  of  their  distresses  ; 

29  He  turneth  the  storm  into  a  calm, 
And  the  waves  are  hushed  ; 

30  The  mariners  rejoice  that  they  are  still, 
And  he  bringeth  them  to  their  desired  haven. 

31  O  let  them  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness, 
For  his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men  ! 

32  Let  them  extol  him  in  the  congregation  of  the  people. 
And  praise  him  in  the  assembly  of  the  elders  ! 

33  He  turneth  rivers  into  a  desert, 
And  water-springs  into  dry  ground ; 

34  A  fruitful  land  into  barrenness. 

For  the  wickedness  of  them  that  dwell  therein. 

35  He  turneth  the  desert  into  a  lake  of  water, 
And  dry  ground  into  water-springs  ; 

36  And  there  he  causeth  the  hungry  to  dwell. 
And  they  build  a  city  for  habitation  ; 

37  And  sow  fields  and  plant  vineyards. 
Which  yield  a  fruitful  increase. 

38  He  blesseth  them,  so  that  they  multiply  greatly, 
And  sufTereth  not  their  cattle  to  decrease. 

39  When  they  are  diminished  and  brought  low 
By  oppression,  affliction,  and  sorrow, 

40  He  poureth  contempt  upon  princes. 

And  causeth  them  to  wander  in  a  pathless  wilderness  ; 

41  But  he  raiscth  the  poor  from  their  affliction. 
And  increaseth  their  families  like  a  flock. 


cviii.J  THE    PSALMS.  221 

42  The  righteous  see  it  and  rejoice, 
And  all  iniquity  shutteth  her  mouth. 

43  Whoso  is  wise,  let  him  observe  this. 

And  have  regard  to  the  loving-kindness  of  Jehovah ! 


PSALM  CVIII. 

This  psalm  is  composed  of  parts  of  two  other  psalms ;  namely,  Ps.  Ivii. 
7-11,  and  Ps.  Ix.  5-12.  It  has  been  conjectured  that  it  was  compiled 
for  some  public  occasion  in  the  later  period  of  the  Jewish  nation. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  O  God,  my  heart  is  strengthened  ! 
I  will  sing  and  give  thanks. 

2  Awake,  my  soul !  awake,  my  psaltery  and  harp  ! 
I  will  wake  with  the  early  dawn. 

3  I  will  praise  thee,  O  Lord,  among  the  nations ; 
I  will  sing  to  thee  among  the  kingdoms  ! 

4  For  thy  mercy  reacheth  to  the  heavens, 
And  thy  truth  above  the  clouds. 

5  Exalt  thyself,  O  God,  above  the  heavens, 
And  thy  glory  above  all  the  earth ! 

6  That  thy  beloved  may  be  delivered. 
Save  with  thy  right  hand,  and  answer  me  ! 

7  God  promiseth  in  his  holiness  ;  I  will  rejoice  ; 
I  shall  yet  divide  Shechem, 

And  measure  out  the  valley  of  Succoth  ; 

8  Gilead  shall  be  mine,  and  mine  Manasseh  ; 
Ephraim  shall  be  my  helmet. 

And  Judah  my  sceptre. 

9  Moab  shall  be  my  wash-bowl ; 
Upon  Edom  shall  I  cast  my  shoe ; 
I  shall  triumph  over  Philistia. 

19* 


222  THE    PSALMS.  [cix. 

10  Who  will  bring  me  to  the  strong  city  ? 
Who  will  lead  me  into  Edom  ? 

11  Wilt  not  thou,  O  God,  who  didst  forsake  us. 
Who  didst  not  go  forth  with  our  armies  ? 

12  Give  us  thine  aid  in  our  distress. 
For  vain  is  the  help  of  man  ! 

13  Through  God  we  shall  do  valiantly ; 
For  he  will  tread  down  our  enemies. 


PSALM  CIX. 

Prayer  against  enemies. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.    A  jjsahn  of  David. 

1  O  God  of  my  praise,  be  not  silent ! 

2  For  the  mouths  of  the  wicked  and  the  deceitful  are  opened 

against  me ; 
They  speak  against  me  with  a  lying  tongue. 

3  They  assault  me  on  every  side  with  words  of  hatred  ; 
They  fight  against  me  without  a  cause. 

4  For  my  love  they  are  my  adversaries, 
Although  I  prayed  for  them. 

5  They  repay  me  evil  for  good. 
And  hatred  for  love. 

6  Set  thou  a  wicked  man  over  him. 

And  let  an  adversary  stand  at  his  right  hand ! 

7  When  he  is  judged,  may  he  be  condemned. 
And  may  his  prayer  be  accounted  a  crime  ! 

8  May  his  days  be  few. 

And  another  take  his  office  ! 

9  May  his  children  be  fatherless. 
And  his  wife  a  widow  ! 


cix.]  THE   PSALMS.  223 

10  May  his  children  be  vagabonds  and  beggars, 

And  seek  their  bread  far  from  their  ruined  dwellings  ! 

11  May  a  creditor  seize  on  all  that  he  hath, 
And  may  a  stranger  plunder  his  substance  ! 

12  May  there  be  none  to  show  him  compassion. 
And  none  to  pity  his  fatherless  children ! 

13  May  his  posterity  be  cut  off; 

In  the  next  generation  may  his  name  be  blotted  out ! 

14  May  the  iniquity  of  his  fathers  be  remembered  by  the 

Lord, 
And  may  the  sin  of  his  mother  never  be  blotted  out ! 

15  May  they  be  before  the  Lord  continually ; 

And  may  he  cut  off  their  memory  from  the  earth  ! 

16  Because  he  remembered  not  to  show  pity, 
But  persecuted  the  afflicted  and  the  poor  man, 
And  sought  the  death  of  the  broken-hearted. 

17  As  he  loved  cursing,  let  it  come  upon  him  ; 

As  he  delighted  not  in  blessing,  let  it  be  far  from  him  ! 

18  May  he  be  clothed  with  cursing  as  with  a  garment ; 
May  it  enter  like  water  into  his  bowels. 

And  like  oil  into  his  bones ! 

19  May  it  be  to  him  like  the  robe  that  covereth  him. 
Like  the  girdle  with  which  he  is  constantly  girded ! 

20  May  this  be  from  the  Lord  the  recompense  of  mine  adver- 

saries. 
And  of  them  that  speak  evil  against  me  ! 

21  But  do  thou,  O  Jehovah,  my  God,  take  part  with  me. 
For  thine  own  name's  sake  ! 

Great  is  thy  mercy,  O  deliver  me  ! 

22  For  I  am  afflicted  and  poor. 

And  my  heart  is  wounded  within  me. 

23  I  am  going,  like  a  declining  shadow  ; 
I  am  cast  out  as  a  locust. 


224  THE   PSALMS.  [ex. 

24  My  knees  are  weak  from  fasting, 
And  my  flesh  is  wasted  away. 

25  I  am  a  reproach  to  my  enemies  ; 

They  gaze  at  me  ;  they  shake  their  heads. 

26  Help  me,  O  Jehovah,  my  God  ! 

O  save  me,  according  to  thy  mercy  ! 

27  Let  them  know  that  this  is  thy  hand, 
That  thou,  O  Lord,  hast  done  it ! 

28  Let  them  curse,  but  do  thou  bless  ! 

When  they  arise,  let  them  be  put  to  shame ; 
But  let  thy  servant  rejoice  ! 

29  May  my  enemies  be  clothed  with  ignominy  ; 

May  they  be  covered  with  their  shame,  as  with  a  mantle ! 

30  I  will  earnestly  praise  the  Lord  with  my  lips  ; 
In  the  midst  of  the  multitude  I  will  praise  him. 

31  For  he  standeth  at  the  right  hand  of  the  poor, 

To  save  him  from  those  who  would  condemn  him. 


PSALM  ex. 

This  psalm  is  commonly  regarded  as  prophetic  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ. 
Many  modern  critics,  however,  supposing  that  Jesus,  in  appealing  to  this 
psalm  for  the  purpose  of  silencing  the  Jews,  reasons  ex  concessis,  i.  e. 
from  premises  conceded  by  his  opponents,  rather  than  from  what  was 
true  in  itself,  consider  the  psalm  as  an  ode  to  a  victorious  king  living  in 
the  time  of  the  author  of  the  composition. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Jehovah  said  to  my  lord, 
"  Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand. 

Until  I  make  thy  foes  thy  footstool." 

2  Jehovah  will  extend  the  sceptre  of  thy  power  from  Zion  ; 
Thou  shall  rule  in  the  midst  of  thine  enemies  ! 


cxi.J  THE  PSALMS.  225 

3  Thy  people  shall   be  ready,  when  thou  musterest  thy 

forces,  in  holy  splendor  ; 
Thy  youth  shall  come  forth  like  dew  from  the  womb  of 
the  morning. 

4  Jehovah  hath  sworn,  and  he  will  not  repent : 
"  Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever, 

After  the  order  of  Melchisedeck !  " 

5  The  Lord  is  at  thy  right  hand, 

He  shall  crush  kings  in  the  day  of  his  wrath. 

6  He  shall  execute  justice  among  the  nations  ; 
He  shall  fill  them  with  dead  bodies. 

He  shall  crush  the  heads  of  his  enemies  over  many  lands. 

7  He  shall  drink  of  the  brook  in  the  way ; 
Therefore  shall  he  lift  up  his  head. 


PSALM  CXL 

Hymn  of  praise  for  God's  goodness  in  his  works  and  word. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

I  will  praise  Jehovah  with  my  whole  heart, 

In  the  society  of  the  righteous,  and  in  the  congregation. 

2  The  works  of  the  Lord  are  great. 

Sought  out  by  all  who  have  pleasure  in  them. 

3  His  deeds  are  honorable  and  glorious. 
And  his  righteousness  endureth  for  ever. 

4  He  hath  established  a  memorial  of  his  wonders  ; 
The  Lord  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion. 

5  He  giveth  meat  to  them  that  fear  him  ; 
He  is  ever  mindful  of  his  covenant. 

6  He  showed  his  people  the  greatness  of  his  works, 
When  he  gave  them  the  inheritance  of  the  heathen. 


226  THE   PSALMS.  [cxii. 

7  The  deeds  of  his  hands  are  truth  and  justice  ; 
All  his  commandments  are  sure  ; 

8  They  stand  firm  for  ever  and  ever, 
Being  founded  in  truth  and  justice. 

9  He  sent  redemption  to  his  people  ; 
He  established  his  covenant  for  ever ; 
Holy  and  venerable  is  his  name. 

10  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  ; 

They  who  keep  his  commandments  have  a  good  under- 
standing ; 
His  praise  endureth  for  ever. 


PSALM  cxn. 

The  blessedness  of  the  righteous  man. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

Happy  the  man  who  feareth  the  Lord, 
Who  taketh  delight  in  his  commandments  ! 

2  His  posterity  shall  be  mighty  on  the  earth  ; 
The  race  of  the  righteous  shall  be  blessed. 

3  Wealth  and  riches  shall  be  in  his  house  ; 
His  righteousness  shall  endure  for  ever. 

4  To  the  righteous  shall  arise  light  out  of  darkness ; 

He  is  gracious  and  full  of  compassion  and  righteousness. 

5  Happy  the  man  who  hath  pity  and  lendeth  !    - 
He  shall  sustain  his  cause  in  judgment ; 

6  Yea,  he  shall  never  stumble  ; 

The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

7  He  is  not  afraid  of  evil  tidings  ; 

His  heart  is  firm,  trusting  in  the  Lord. 


cxiii.]  THE   PSALMS.  227 

8  His  heart  is  firm  ;  he  hath  no  fear, 
Till  he  see  his  desire  upon  his  enemies. 

9  He  hath  scattered  blessings  ;  he  hath  given  to  the  poor  ; 
His  righteousness  shall  endure  for  ever  ; 

His  horn  shall  be  exalted  with  honor. 
10  The  wicked  shall  see  and  be  grieved  ; 

He  shall  gnash  with  his  teeth  and  melt  away  ; 
The  desire  of  the  wicked  shall  perish. 


PSALM  CXIII. 

The  condescending  goodness  of  God. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

Praise,  O  ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 
Praise  the  name  of  the  Lord  ! 

2  Blessed  be  the  name  of  Jehovah 
From  this  time  forth,  even  for  ever ! 

3  From  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun, 
May  the  Lord's  name  be  praised  ! 

4  The  Lord  is  high  above  all  nations ; 
His  glory  is  above  the  heavens. 

5  Who  is  like  the  Lord,  our  God, 
That  hath  his  abode  on  high, 

6  Who  yet  stoopeth  down  to  behold 

What  passeth  in  the  heavens  and  on  the  earth  ? 

7  He  raiseth  the  poor  from  the  dust, 

And  exalteth  the  needy  from  the  dunghill, 

8  And  setteth  him  among  princes. 
Even  among  the  princes  of  his  people. 

9  He  causeth  the  barren  woman  to  dwell  in  her  house, 
And  to  be  a  joyful  mother  of  children. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


228  THE   PSALMS.  [cxiv.,  cxv. 

PSALM   CXIV. 

On  the  coming  forth  from  Egypt,  under  the  guidance  of  God. 

1  When  Israel  came  forth  from  Egypt, 

The  house  of  Jacob  from  a  people  of  strange  language, 

2  Judah  was  his  sanctuary, 
And  Israel  his  dominion. 

3  The  sea  beheld,  and  fled  ; 
The  Jordan  turned  back. 

4  The  mountains  skipped  like  rams, 
And  the  hills  like  lambs. 

5  What  aileth  thee,  O  thou  sea,  that  thou  fleest  ? 
Thou,  Jordan,  that  thou  turnest  back  ? 

6  Ye  mountains,  that  ye  skip  like  rams, 
And  ye  hills  like  lambs  ? 

7  Tremble,  O  earth,  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
At  the  presence  of  the  God  of  Jacob  ; 

8  Who  turned  the  rock  into  a  standing  lake. 
And  the  flint  into  a  fountain  of  water  ! 


PSALM  CXV. 

Prayer  that  Jehovah  would  display  his  glory  as  the  true  God,  by  giving  aid 
to  his  people  against  the  w^orshippers  of  idols. 

1  Not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us, 
But  unto  thy  name  give  glory. 

For  thy  mercy,  and  thy  truth's  sake  ! 

2  Why  should  the  nations  say, 
"  Where  is  now  their  God  ?  " 


cxv.]  THE   PSALMS.  229 

3  Our  God  is  in  the  heavens  ; 
He  doeth  whatever  he  pleaseth. 

4  Their  idols  are  silver  and  gold, 
The  work  of  men's  hands  ; 

5  They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not ; 
Eyes  have  they,  but  they  see  not ; 

6  They  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not ; 
Noses  have  they,  but  they  smell  not ; 

7  They  have  hands,  but  they  handle  not ; 
They  have  feet,  but  they  walk  not ; 
Nor  do  they  speak  with  their  throats. 

8  They  that  make  them  are  like  unto  them  ; 
And  so  is  every  one  that  trusteth  in  them. 

9  O  Israel,  trust  thou  in  the  Lord  ! 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 

10  O  house  of  Aaron,  trust  ye  in  the  Lord  ! 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 

11  Ye  that  fear  the  Lord  trust  in  the  Lord  ! 
He  is  our  help  and  our  shield. 

12  The  Lord  hath  been  mindful  of  us  ;  he  will  bless  us ; 
He  will  bless  the  house  of  Israel ; 

He  will  bless  the  house  of  Aaron. 

13  He  will  bless  them  that  fear  the  Lord,  both  small  and 

great. 

14  The  Lord  will  increase  you  more  and  more, 
You  and  your  children. 

15  Blessed  are  ye  of  the  Lord, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

16  The  highest  heaven  is  the  Lord's  ; 

But  the  earth  he  hath  given  to  the  sons  of  men. 

17  The  dead  praise  not  the  Lord ; 
None  who  go  down  into  silence  ! 

20 


230  THE    PSALMS.  [cxvi. 

18  But  we  will  bless  the  Lord, 

From  this  time  forth  even  for  ever  ! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


PSALM  CXVI. 

Thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  distress. 

1  I  REJOICE  that  the  Lord  hath  heard  my  supplication, 

2  That  he  hath  inclined  his  ear  to  me  and  heard  me  ; 
I  will  call  upon  him  as  long  as  I  live. 

3  The  snares  of  death  encompassed  me, 

And  the  pains  of  the  underworld  seized  upon  me  ; 
I  found  distress  and  sorrow. 

4  Then  called  I  upon  the  Lord  : 

0  Lord,  deliver  me  ! 

5  Gracious  is  the  Lord,  and  kind  ; 
Yea,  our  God  is  merciful. 

6  The  Lord  preserveth  the  simple  ; 

1  was  brought  low,  and  he  helped  me, 

7  Return,  O  my  soul,  to  thy  rest ! 

For  Jehovah  hath  dealt  kindly  with  thee. 

8  For  thou  hast  preserved  me  from  death  ; 
Thou  hast  kept  mine  eyes  from  tears, 
And  my  feet  from  falling  ! 

9  I  shall  walk  before  the  Lord, 
In  the  land  of  the  living. 

10  I  had  trust,  although  I  said, 

"  I  am  grievously  afflicted  !  " 

11  I  said  in  my  distress, 
"  All  men  are  liars." 


cxvii.]  THE   PSALMS.  231 

12  What  shall  I  render  to  the  Lord 
For  all  his  benefits  to  me  ? 

13  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation, 
And  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  ; 

14  I  will  pay  my  vows  to  the  Lord, 
In  the  presence  of  all  his  people. 

15  Precious  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord 

Is  the  life  of  his  pious  worshippers. 

16  Hear,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  thy  servant ; 

I  am  thy  servant,  the  son  of  thy  handmaid  ! 
Thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds. 

17  I  will  offer  to  thee  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving, 
And  will  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

18  I  will  pay  my  vows  to  the  Lord 
In  the  presence  of  all  his  people, 

19  In  the  courts  of  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
In  the  midst  of  thee,  O  Jerusalem  ! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


PSALM   CXVII. 

A  psalm  of  praise. 

1  Praise  the  Lord,  all  ye  nations  ! 
Praise  him,  all  ye  people  ! 

2  For  great  toward  us  hath  been  his  kindness. 

And  the  faithfulness  of  the  Lord  endureth  for  ever. 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


2^  THE   PSALMS.  [cxviii. 


PSALM   CXVIII. 

A  psalm  of  thanksgiving  and  triumph  for  deliverance  from  danger  and  vic- 
tory over  enemies. 

1  O  GIVE  thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good  ; 
For  his  goodness  endure th  for  ever ! 

2  Let  Israel  now  say, 

His  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

3  Let  the  house  of  Aaron  now  say. 
His  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 

4  Let  all  who  fear  the  Lord  say, 
His  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

5  I  called  upon  the  Lord  in  distress  ; 
He  heard,  and  gave  me  deliverance. 

6  The  Lord  is  on  my  side,  I  will  not  fear  ; 
What  can  man  do  to  me  ? 

7  The  Lord  is  my  helper ; 

I  shall  see  my  desire  upon  my  enemies. 

8  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord 
Than  to  put  confidence  in  man  ; 

9  It  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord 
Than  to  put  confidence  in  princes. 

10  All  the  nations  beset  me  around ^ 

But  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  I  destroyed  them. 

11  They  beset  me  on  every  side  ; 

But  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  I  destroyed  them. 

12  They  beset  me  around  like  bees  ; 

They  were  quenched  like  the  fire  of  thorns, 
For  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  I  destroyed  them. 


cxviii.]  THE   PSALMS.  233 

13  Thou  didst  assail  me  with  violence  to  bring  me  down  ! 
But  the  Lord  was  my  support. 

14  The  Lord  is  my  glory  and  my  song  ; 
For  to  him  I  owe  my  salvation. 

15  The  voice  of  joy  and  salvation  is  in  the  habitations  of  the 

righteous : 
"  The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  doeth  valiantly  ; 

16  The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  is  exalted  ; 

The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  doeth  valiantly." 

17  I  shall  not  die,  but  live, 

And  declare  the  deeds  of  the  Lord. 

18  The  Lord  hath  sorely  chastened  me, 
But  he  hath  not  given  me  over  to  death. 

19  Open  to  me  the  gates  of  righteousness, 
That  I  may  go  in,  and  praise  the  Lord  ! 

20  This  is  the  gate  of  the  Lord, 
Through  which  the  righteous  enter. 

21  I  praise  thee  that  thou  hast  heard  me, 
And  hast  been  my  salvation. 

22  "  The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected 
Is  become  the  chief  corner-stone. 

23  This  is  the  Lord's  doing  ; 

It  is  marvellous  in  our  eyes  ! 

24  This  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath  made  ; 
Let  us  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it  ! 

25  Hear,  O  Lord,  and  bless  us  ! 

Hear,  O  Lord,  and  send  us  prosperity  !  " 

26  "  Blessed  be  he  that  cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord ! 
We  bless  you  from  the  house  of  the  Lord." 

27  "  Jehovah  is  God,  he  hath  shone  upon  us  ; 

Bind  the  sacrifice  with  cords  to  the  horns  of  the  altar ! " 
20* 


234  THE   PSALMS.  [cxix. 

28  Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  will  praise  thee  ; 
Thou  art  my  God,  and  I  will  exalt  thee  ! 

29  O  give  thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  he  is  kind, 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 


PSALM  CXIX. 

The  excellence  of  the  divine  laws,  and  the  happiness  of  those  who  observe 
them.  The  aim  of  the  poet  seems  to  have  been  to  present  these  two 
ideas  in  every  possible  variety  of  expression. 

1  Happy  are  they  whose  ways  are  pure. 
Who  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord  ! 

2  Happy  are  they  who  observe  his  ordinances, 
And  seek  him  with  their  whole  heart ; 

3  Who  also  do  no  iniquity. 
But  walk  in  his  ways  ! 

4  Thou  hast  commanded  us  to  keep  thy  precepts  diligently. 

5  O  that  my  ways  were  directed  to  keep  thy  statutes ! 

6  Then  only  shall  I  not  be  ashamed. 

When  I  have  respect  to  all  thy  commandments. 

7  Then  shall  I  praise  thee  with  an  upright  heart, 
When  I  shall  have  learned  thy  righteous  laws. 

8  I  will  keep  thy  statutes  ; 
Do  not  utterly  forsake  me  ! 

9  How  shall  a  young  man  keep  his  way  pure  ? 
By  taking  heed  to  it  according  to  thy  word. 

10  With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  thee  ; 

O  let  me  not  wander  from  thy  commandments  ! 

11  Thy  word  have  I  hid  in  my  heart, 
That  I  might  not  sin  against  thee. 

12  Blessed  be  thou,  O  Lord  ! 
O  teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 


cxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  235 

13  With  my  lips  do  I  declare 

All  the  precepts  of  thy  mouth. 

14  In  the  way  of  thine  ordinances  I  rejoice 
As  much  as  in  the  greatest  riches. 

15  I  meditate  on  thy  precepts, 
And  have  respect  unto  thy  ways. 

16  I  delight  myself  in  thy  statutes  ; 
I  do  not  forget  thy  word. 

17  Deal  kindly  with  thy  servant,  that  I  may  live, 
And  have  regard  to  thy  word  ! 

18  Open  thou  mine  eyes, 

That  I  may  behold  the  deep  things  of  thy  law  ! 

19  I  am  a  stranger  in  the  earth  ; 

O  hide  not  thy  precepts  from  me  ! 

20  My  soul  fainteth  within  me. 

On  account  of  her  perpetual  longing  for  thy  laws. 

21  Thou  rebukest  the  proud,  the  accursed, 
Who  wander  from  thy  commandments. 

22  Remove  from  me  reproach  and  contempt, 
For  I  observe  thine  ordinances ! 

23  Princes  sit  and  speak  ag£^inst  me. 

But  thy  servant  meditateth  on  thy  statutes. 

24  Thine  ordinances  are  my  delight. 
Yea,  they  are  my  counsellors. 

25  My  soul  is  bowed  down  to  the  dust ; 
O  revive  me,  according  to  thy  promise  ! 

26  I  have  declared  my  ways,  and  thou  hast  heard  me  ; 
Teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 

27  Make  me  to  understand  the  way  of  thy  precepts  ! 
So  will  I  meditate  on  thy  wonderful  works. 


THE   PSALMS.  [cxix. 

2S  My  soul  melteth  away  for  trouble ; 
O  lift  me  up  according  to  thy  promise ! 

29  Remove  from  me  the  way  of  falsehood, 
And  graciously  grant  me  thy  law  ! 

30  I  have  chosen  the  way  of  truth, 
And  set  thy  statutes  before  me. 

31  I  cleave  to  thine  ordinances  ; 

O  Lord,  let  me  not  be  put  to  shame  ! 

32  I  will  run  in  the  way  of  thy  commandments, 
When  thou  shalt  enlarge  my  heart. 

33  Teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  thy  statutes, 
That  I  may  keep  it  to  the  end ! 

34  Give  me  understanding,  that  I  may  keep  thy  law. 
That  I  may  observe  it  with  my  whole  heart ! 

35  Lead  me  in  the  path  of  thy  commandments, 
For  in  them  I  have  my  delight. 

36  Incline  my  heart  to  thine  ordinances. 
And  not  to  the  love  of  gain  ! 

37  Turn  away  mine  eyes  from  beholding  vanity, 
And  quicken  me  in  thy  law  ! 

38  Fulfil  thy  promise  to  thy  servant. 

Which  thou  hast  made  to  him  who  feareth  thee  ! 

39  Turn  away  the  reproach  which  I  fear ; 
For  thy  statutes  are  good. 

40  Behold,  I  have  longed  for  thy  precepts  ; 
O  quicken  thou  me,  in  thy  righteousness  ! 

41  Let  thy  mercies  come  to  me,  O  Lord, 
And  thy  help  according  to  thy  promise  ! 

42  So  shall  I  be  able  to  answer  him  that  reproacheth  me  ; 
For  I  trust  in  thy  promise. 


cxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  237 

43  O  take  not  the  word  of  truth  utterly  out  of  my  mouth  ; 
For  I  trust  in  thy  judgments. 

44  So  shall  I  keep  thy  law  continually, 
For  ever  and  ever. 

45  I  shall  walk  in  a  wide  path, 
For  I  seek  thy  precepts. 

46  I  will  speak  of  thine  ordinances  before  kings, 
And  will  not  be  ashamed. 

47  I  will  delight  myself  in  thy  commandments,  which  I  love ; 

48  I  will  lift  up  my  hands  to  thy  precepts,  which  I  love  ; 
I  will  meditate  on  thy  statutes. 

49  Remember  thy  promise  to  thy  servant, 
With  which  thou  hast  caused  me  to  hope  ! 

50  This  is  my  comfort  in  my  affliction. 
For  thy  promise  reviveth  me. 

51  The  proud  have  had  me  greatly  in  derision, 
Yet  have  I  not  swerved  from  thy  law. 

52  I  remember  thy  judgments  of  old,  O  Lord  ! 
And  I  comfort  myself. 

53  Indignation  burneth  within  me. 

On  account  of  the  wicked  who  forsake  thy  law. 

54  Thy  statutes  have  been  my  song 
In  the  house  of  my  pilgrimage. 

55  In  the  night,  O  Lord,  I  think  of  thy  name. 
And  keep  thy  law  ! 

56  This  have  I  as  my  own, 
That  I  keep  thy  precepts. 

57  Thou  art  my  portion,  O  Lord  ! 

I  have  resolved  that  I  will  keep  thy  precepts. 

58  I  entreat  thy  favor  with  my  whole  heart ; 

Be  gracious  unto  me  according  to  thy  promise  ! 


238  THE    PSALMS.  [cxix, 

69  I  think  on  my  ways, 

And  turn  my  feet  to  thy  statutes  ; 

60  I  make  haste,  and  delay  not, 
To  keep  thy  commandments. 

61  The  snares  of  the  wicked  surround  me  ; 
Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  law. 

62  At  midnight  I  rise  to  give  thanks  to  thee, 
On  account  of  thy  righteous  laws. 

63  I  am  the  companion  of  all  who  fear  thee, 
And  who  obey  thy  precepts. 

64  The  earth,  O  Lord,  is  full  of  thy  goodness  ; 
O  teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 

65  Thou  dost  bless  thy  servant,  O  Lord, 
According  to  thy  promise  ! 

66  Teach  me  sound  judgment  and  knowledge  ! 
For  I  have  faith  in  thy  commandments. 

67  Before  I  was  afflicted,  I  went  astray  ; 
But  now  I  keep  thy  word. 

68  Thou  art  good  and  doest  good  ; 
O  teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 

69  The  proud  forge  lies  against  me, 

But  I  keep  thy  precepts  with  my  whole  heart. 

70  Their  heart  is  senseless,  like  fat ; 
But  I  delight  in  thy  law. 

71  It  is  good  for  me  that  I  have  been  afflicted, 
That  I  might  learn  thy  statutes. 

72  The  law  of  thy  mouth  is  better  to  me 
Than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver. 

73  Thy  hands  have  made  and  fashioned  me  ; 

Give  me  understanding,  that  I  may  learn  thy  command- 
ments ! 


cxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  239 

74  They  who  fear  thee  shall  see  me  and  rejoice, 
Because  I  trust  in  thy  promise. 

75  I  know,  O  Lord,  that  thy  judgments  are  right, 
And  that  in  faithfulness  thou  hast  afflicted  me. 

76  O  let  thy  loving-kindness  be  my  consolation. 
According  to  thy  promise  to  thy  servant ! 

77  Let  thy  tender  mercies  come  to  me,  that  I  may  live ! 
For  thy  law  is  my  delight. 

78  May  the  proud  be  put  to  shame,  who  wrong  me  without 

cause ! 
But  I  will  meditate  on  thy  precepts. 

79  Let  those  who  fear  thee  turn  unto  me. 
And  they  that  know  thine  ordinances  ! 

80  May  my  heart  be  perfect  in  thy  statutes. 
That  I  may  not  be  put  to  shame ! 

81  My  soul  fainteth  for  thy  salvation  ; 
In  thy  promise  do  I  trust. 

82  Mine  eyes  fail  with  looking  for  thy  promise ; 
When,  say  I,  wilt  thou  comfort  me  ? 

83  Yea,  I  am  become  like  a  bottle  in  the  smoke. 
Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  statutes. 

84  How  many  are  the  days  of  thy  servant  } 

When  wilt  thou  execute  judgment  upon  my  persecutors  ? 

85  The  proud  have  digged  pits  for  me  ; 
They  who  do  not  regard  thy  law. 

86  All  thy  commandments  are  faithful ;      ^ 

They  persecute  me  without  cause  ;  help  thou  me  ! 

87  They  had  almost  consumed  me  from  the  earth  ; 
But  I  forsook  not  thy  precepts. 

88  Quicken  me  according  to  thy  loving-kindness. 
That  I  may  keep  the  law  of  thy  mouth  ! 


240  THE    PSALMS.  [cxix. 

89  Thy  promise,  O  Lord,  abideth  for  ever, 
Being  established  like  the  heavens  ; 

90  Thy  faithfulness  endureth  to  all  generations. 
Thou  hast  established  the  earth,  and  it  abideth. 

91  They  continue  to  this  day  according  to  their  ordinances. 
For  they  are  all  subject  to  thee. 

92  Had  not  thy  law  been  my  delight, 

I  should  have  perished  in  my  affliction. 

93  I  will  never  forget  thy  precepts ; 
For  by  them  thou  revivest  me. 

94  I  am  thine,  help  me  ! 
For  I  seek  thy  precepts. 

95  The  wicked  lie  in  wait  to  destroy  me. 
But  I  will  have  regard  to  thine  ordinances. 

96  I  have  seen  an  end  of  all  perfection  ; 
But  thy  law  is  exceeding  broad. 

97  O  how  I  love  thy  law  ! 
It  is  my  daily  meditation. 

9S  Thou  hast  made  me  wiser  than  my  enemies  by  thy  pre- 
cepts. 

For  they  are  ever  before  me. 
99  I  have  more  understanding  than  all  my  teachers. 

For  thine  ordinances  are  my  meditation. 

100  I  have  more  wisdom  than  the  ancients, 
Because  I  keep  thy  precepts. 

101  I  have  restrained  my  feet  from  every  evil  way. 
That  I  might  keep  thy  word. 

102  I  depart  not  from  thy  statutes, 
For  thou  teachest  me  ! 

103  How  sweet  are  thy  words  to  my  taste  ;  , 
Yea,  sweeter  than  honey  to  my  mouth  ! 


cxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  241 

104  From  thy  precepts  I  learn  wisdom ; 
Therefore  do  I  hate  every  false  way. 

105  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  to  my  feet, 
And  a  light  to  my  path. 

106  I  have  sworn,  and  I  will  perform  it. 
That  I  will  keep  thy  righteous  statutes. 

107  I  am  exceedingly  afflicted  ; 

Revive  me,  O  Lord,  according  to  thy  word  ! 

108  Accept,  O  Lord,  the  free-will  offering  of  my  mouth, 
And  teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 

109  My  life  is  continually  in  my  hand. 
Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  law. 

110  The  wicked  lay  snares  for  me, 

Yet  do  I  not  go  astray  from  thy  precepts. 

111  I  have  made  thine  ordinances  my  possession  for  ever  ; 
For  they  are  the  joy  of  my  heart. 

112  I  have  inclined  my  heart  to  perform  thy  statutes  always. 
Even  to  the  end. 

113  I  hate  impious  men, 
And  thy  law  I  do  love. 

114  Thou  art  my  hiding-place  and  my  shield  ; 
In  thy  promise  I  put  my  trust ! 

115  Depart  from  me,  ye  evil-doers. 

For  I  will  keep  the  commandments  of  my  God  ! 

116  Uphold  me  according  to  thy  promise,  that  I  may  live  ; 
And  let  me  not  be  ashamed  of  my  hope  ! 

117  Do  thou  hold  me  up,  and  I  shall  be  safe. 

And  I  will  have  respect  to  thy  statutes  continually  ! 

118  Thou  castest  off  all  who  depart  from  thy  laws  ; 
For  their  deceit  is  vain. 

21 


242  THE   PSALMS.  [cxix. 

119  Thou  throwest  away  all  the  wicked  of  the  earth,  like  dross ; 
Therefore  I  love  thine  ordinances. 

120  My  flesh  trembleth  through  fear  of  thee, 
And  I  am  afraid  of  thy  judgments. 

121  I  have  done  justice  and  equity  ; 

0  leave  me  not  to  mine  oppressors  ! 

122  Be  surety  for  thy  servant  for  good  ; 
Let  not  the  proud  oppress  me  ! 

123  Mine  eyes  fail  with  looking  for  thy  help, 
And  for  thy  gracious  promise. 

124  Deal  with  thy  servant  according  to  thy  mercy, 
And  teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 

125  I  am  thy  servant ;  give  me  understanding, 
That  I  may  know  thine  ordinances  ! 

126  It  is  time  for  thee,  O  Lord,  to  act! 
For  men  have  made  void  thy  law. 

127  Therefore  I  love  thy  commandments  above  gold. 
Yea,  above  fine  gold. 

128  Therefore  I  esteem  all  thy  precepts  concerning  all  things 

to  be  right ; 

1  hate  every  false  way. 

129  Thine  ordinances  are  wonderful ; 
Therefore  do  I  observe  them. 

130  The  communication  of  thy  precepts  giveth  light ; 
It  giveth  understanding  to  the  simple. 

131  I  open  my  mouth  and  pant ; 

For  I  long  for  thy  commandments. 

132  Look  thou  upon  me,  and  be  gracious  to  me, 

As  thou  usest  to  do  to  those  who  love  thy  name  ! 

133  Establish  my  footsteps  in  thy  word. 

And  let  no  iniquity  have  dominion  over  me  ! 


cxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  243 

134  Redeem  me  from  the  oppression  of  men, 
So  will  I  keep  thy  precepts  ! 

135  Let  thy  face  shine  on  thy  servant, 
And  teach  me  thy  statutes  ! 

136  Rivers  of  water  run  down  mine  eyes. 
Because  men  keep  not  thy  law. 

137  Righteous  art  thou,  O  Lord, 
And  just  are  thy  laws  ! 

138  The  ordinances  which  thou  hast  made  are  just, 
And  altogether  righteous. 

139  My  zeal  consumeth  me, 

Because  my  enemies  forget  thy  words. 

140  Thy  word  is  very  pure. 
Therefore  thy  servant  loveth  it. 

141  I  am  of  mean  condition  and  despised  ; 
Yet  do  I  not  forget  thy  precepts. 

142  Thy  righteousness  is  everlasting  righteousness, 
And  thy  law  is  truth. 

143  Trouble  and  anguish  have  taken  hold  of  me. 
But  thy  laws  are  my  delight. 

144  The  justice  of  thine  ordinances  is  everlasting ; 
Give  me  understanding,  and  I  shall  live  ! 

145  I  cry  with  my  whole  heart ; 

Hear  me,  O  Lord,  that  I  may  keep  thy  statutes. 

146  I  cry  unto  thee  ;  save  me. 

That  I  may  observe  thine  ordinances. 

147  I  come  before  the  dawn  with  my  prayer ; 
I  trust  in  thy  promise  ! 

148  My  eyes  anticipate  the  night-watches, 
That  I  may  meditate  upon  thy  word, 


244  THE   PSALMS.  [cxix. 

149  Hear  my  voice  according  to  thy  loving-kindness  ; 
O  Lord,  revive  me  according  to  thy  mercy  ! 

150  They  draw  nigh,  whose  aim  is  mischief; 
They  are  far  from  thy  law  ; 

151  Yet  thou  art  near,  O  Lord, 

And  all  thy  commandments  are  truth !  * 

152  Long  have  I  known  concerning  thine  ordinances. 
That  thou  hast  founded  them  for  ever. 

153  Look  upon  my  affliction,  and  deliver  me  ! 
For  I  do  not  forget  thy  law. 

154  Maintain  my  cause,  and  redeem  me  ; 
Revive  me  according  to  thy  promise  ! 

155  Safety  is  far  from  the  wicked. 
Because  they  seek  not  thy  statutes. 

156  Great  is  thy  compassion,  O  Lord  ! 
Revive  thou  me  according  to  thine  equity  ! 

157  Many  are  my  persecutors  and  my  enemies. 
Yet  have  I  not  departed  from  thine  ordinances. 

158  I  behold  the  transgressors  and  am  grieved, 
Because  they  regard  not  thy  word. 

159  Behold,  how  I  love  thy  precepts  ! 

O  Lord,  revive  me  according  to  thy  loving-kindness  ! 

160  All  thy  words  are  true. 

And  thy  righteous  statutes  endure  for  ever. 

161  Princes  have  persecuted  me  without  a  cause  ; 
But  my  heart  standeth  in  awe  of  thy  word. 

162  I  rejoice  in  thy  word. 

As  one  that  hath  found  great  spoil. 

163  I  hate  and  abhor  lying, 
And  thy  law  do  I  love. 


cxiK.]  THE   PSALMS.  245 

164  Seven  times  a  day  do  I  praise  thee, 
On  account  of  thy  righteous  statutes. 

165  Great  peace  have  they  who  love  thy  law  ; 
They  shall  not  fall  into  calamity. 

166  Lord,  I  wait  for  thy  help, 
And  keep  thy  commandments  ! 

167  My  soul  observeth  thine  ordinances. 
And  loveth  them  exceedingly. 

168  I  keep  thy  precepts,  and  thine  ordinances  ; 
For  all  my  ways  are  before  thee. 

169  Let  my  prayer  come  near  before  thee,  O  Lord  ! 
According  to  thy  promise,  give  me  understanding  1 

170  Let  my  supplication  come  before  thee  ; 
O  deliver  me  according  to  thy  promise  ! 

171  My  lips  shall  pour  forth  praise, 
When  thou  hast  taught  me  thy  statutes. 

172  My  tongue  shall  sing  of  thy  word  ; 
For  all  thy  commandments  are  right. 

173  Let  thy  hand  be  my  help, 

For  I  have  chosen  thy  precepts  ! 

174  I  long  for  thine  aid,  O  Lord, 
And  thy  law  is  my  delight. 

175  Let  me  live,  and  I  will  praise  thee  ; 
Let  thy  judgments  help  me  ! 

176  I  wander  like  a  lost  sheep  ;  seek  thy  servant ! 
For  I  do  not  forget  thy  commandments. 


21* 


246  THE   PSALMS.  [cxx.,  cxxi. 

PSALM   CXX. 

Complaints  concerning  enemies,  especially  deceivers  and  calumniators. 
A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  In  my  distress  I  call  upon  the  Lord, 
And  he  answereth  me. 

2  O  the  Lord,  deliver  me  from  lying  lips, 
From  the  deceitful  tongue  ! 

3  What  profit  to  thee, 

Or  what  advantage  to  thee,  is  thy  false  tongue  ? 

4  It  is  like  the  sharp  arrows  of  the  mighty  ; 
Like  coals  of  the  juniper. 

5  Alas  for  me,  that  I  sojourn  in  Mesech, 
That  I  dwell  in  the  tents  of  Kedar ! 

6  Too  long  have  I  dwelt 
With  them  that  hate  peace  ! 

7  I  am  for  peace  ;  yet,  when  I  speak  for  it. 
They  are  for  war. 


PSALM  CXXI. 

Confidence  of  safety  under  the  protection  of  God. 
A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  I  LIFT  up  mine  eyes  to  the  hills  ; 
Whence  cometh  my  help  ? 

2  My  help  cometh  from  the  Lord, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 

3  He  will  not  suffer  thy  foot  to  stumble  ; 
Thy  guardian  doth  not  slumber. 


cxxii.]  THE   PSALMS.  247 

4  Behold  !  the  guardian  of  Israel 
Doth  neither  slumber  nor  sleep. 

5  The  Lord  is  thy  guardian  ; 

The  Lord  is  thy  shade  at  thy  right  hand. 

6  The  sun  shall  not  smite  thee  by  day, 
Nor  the  moon  by  night. 

7  The  Lord  will  preserve  thee  from  all  evil ; 
He  will  preserve  thy  life. 

8  The  Lord  will  preserve  thee,  when  thou  goest  out  and 

when  thou  comest  in, 
From  this  time  forth  for  ever. 


PSALM  CXXII. 

Hymn  of  the  Israelites  on  their  journey  to  the  festivals  in  Jerusalem. 
A  psalm  of  steps.     By  David. 

1  I  AM  glad  when  they  say  to  me. 
Let  us  go  up  to  the  house  of  the  Lord  ! 

2  Soon  shall  our  feet  stand 
Within  thy  gates,  O  Jerusalem  ! 

3  Jerusalem,  the  rebuilt  city  ! 
The  city  that  is  joined  together  ! 

4  Thither  the  tribes  go  up. 

The  tribes  of  the  Lord,  according  to  the  law  of  Israel, 
To  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

5  There  stand  the  thrones  of  judgment, 
The  thrones  of  the  house  of  David. 

6  Pray  ye  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem  ! 
May  they  prosper  that  love  thee  ! 

7  Peace  be  within  thy  walls. 

And  prosperity  within  thy  palaces  ! 


248      ^  THE   PSALMS.  [cxxiii.,  cxxiv. 

8  For  my  brethren  and  companions'  sake  will  I  say, 
Peace  be  within  thee  ! 

9  For  the  sake  of  the  house  of  the  Lord 
Will  I  wish  thee  prosperity ! 


PSALM  CXXIIL 

Prayer  for  the  deliverance  of  the  Jewish  nation  from  oppression. 
Ji  song  of  steps. 

1  To  thee  do  I  lift  up  mine  eyes, 

O  Thou  who  dwellest  in  the  heavens ! 

2  Behold,  as  the  eyes  of  servants  look  to  the  hand  of  their 

masters. 
And  as  the  eyes  of  a  maiden  to  the  hand  of  her  mistress, 
So  do  our  eyes  look  to  Jehovah,  our  God, 
Until  he  have  pity  upon  us. 

3  Have  mercy  upon  us,  O  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us. 
For  we  are  overwhelmed  with  contempt ! 

4  We  sink  under  the  scorn  of  the  insolent, 
And  the  contempt  of  the  proud. 


PSALM  CXXIV. 

Thanksgiving  for  deliverance  from  national  calamity. 
M  psalm  of  steps.     By  David. 

1      If  the  Lord  had  not  been  for  us, 
Now  may  Israel  say. 


cxxv.]  THE   PSALMS.  249 

2  If  the  Lord  had  not  been  for  us, 
When  men  rose  up  against  us, 

3  Then  had  they  swallowed  us  up  alive. 
When  their  wrath  burned  against  us  ; 

4  Then  the  waters  had  overwhelmed  us  ; 
The  streams  had  gone  over  our  heads  ; 

5  The  proud  waters  had  gone  over  our  heads. 

6  Blessed  be  the  Lord, 

Who  hath  not  given  us  a  prey  to  their  jaws  ! 

7  We  have  escaped,  like  a  bird  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler ; 
The  snare  is  broken,  and  we  have  escaped. 

8  Our  help  is  with  the  Lord, 
Who  made  heaven  and  earth. 


PSALM   CXXV. 

Trust  in  Jehovah,  as  the  protector  of  Israel. 
A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  They  who  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  as  Mount  Zion, 
Which  cannot  be  moved,  which  standeth  for  ever. 

2  As  the  mountains  are  round  about  Jerusalem, 
So  the  Lord  is  round  about  his  people. 
Henceforth,  even  for  ever  ! 

3  For  the  sceptre  of  the  wicked  shall  not  re.main  upon  the 

portion  of  the  righteous, 
Lest  the  righteous  put  forth  their  hands  to  iniquity. 

4  Do  good,  O  Lord,  to  the  good, 
To  them  that  are  upright  in  heart ! 

6  But  such  as  turn  aside  to  their  crooked  ways. 
May  the  Lord  destroy  them  with  the  evil-doers  ! 
Peace  be  to  Israel ! 


250  THE   PSALMS.  [cxxvi.,  cxxvii. 


PSALM   CXXVI. 

Prayer  of  those  who  had  returned  from  captivity  for  the  restoration  of  the 
exiles  remaining  at  Babylon. 

A  'psalm  of  steps. 

1  When  Jehovah  brought  back  the  captives  of  Zion, 
We  were  like  them  that  dream ; 

2  Then  was  our  mouth  filled  with  laughter, 
And  our  tongue  with  singing. 

Then  said  they  among  the  nations, 

"  Jehovah  hath  done  great  things  for  them  !  " 

3  Yea,  Jehovah  hath  done  great  things  for  us. 
For  which  we  are  glad. 

4  Bring  back,  O  Lord,  the  rest  of  our  captives. 
Like  streams  in  a  dry  land  ! 

5  They  who  sow  in  tears 
Shall  reap  in  joy. 

6  He  who  goeth  forth  weeping,  with  his  seed. 
Shall  return  rejoicing,  with  his  sheaves. 


PSALM  CXXVII. 

Without  the  blessing  of  God  nothing  prospers. 
A  psalm  of  steps.     By  Solomon. 

1      Except  the  Lord  build  the  house. 
The  builders  labor  in  vain  ; 
Except  the  Lord  guard  the  city. 
The  watchman  waketh  in  vain. 


cxxviii.]  THE   PSALMS.  251 

2  In  vain  ye  rise  up  early,  and  go  to  rest  late, 
And  eat  the  bread  of  care  ! 

The  same  giveth  he  his  beloved  in  sleep. 

3  Behold  !  children  are  an  inheritance  from  the  Lord, 
And  the  fruit  of  the  womb  is  his  gift. 

4  As  arrows  in  the  hand  of  the  warrior, 
So  are  the  children  of  youth  ; 

6  Happy  the  man  that  hath  his  quiver  full  of  them  ! 
They  shall  not  be  put  to  shame  ; 
They  shall  destroy  the  enemies  in  the  gate. 


PSALM  CXXVIII. 

The  advantages  of  piety.  x 

A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  Happy  is  he  who  feareth  the  Lord, 
Who  walketh  in  his  ways  ! 

2  Thou  shalt  eat  the  labor  of  thine  hands  ; 

Happy  shalt  thou  be,  and  it  shall  be  well  with  thee  ! 

3  Thy  wife  shall  be  like  a  fruitful  vine  within  thy  house  ; 
Thy  children  like  olive-branches  round  about  thy  table. 

4  Behold  !  thus  happy  is  the  man  who  feareth  the  Lord  ! 

5  Jehovah  shall  bless  thee  out  of  Zion, 

And  thou  shalt  see  the  prosperity  of  Jerusalem  all  the 
days  of  thy  life  ; 

6  Yea,  thou  shalt  see  thy  children's  children. 
Peace  be  to  Israel  ! 


252  THE   PSALMS.  [cxxix.,  cxxx. 


•  PSALM  CXXIX. 

Grateful  acknowledgment  of  past  deliverances,  and  hopes  of  future  aid 
and  support. 

1  Much  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth, 
May  Israel  now  say  ; 

2  Much  have  they  afflicted  me  from  my  youth, 
Yet  have  they  not  prevailed  against  me. 

3  The  ploughers  ploughed  up  my  back  ; 
They  made  long  their  furrows  ; 

4  But  Jehovah  was  righteous  ; 

He  cut  asunder  the  cords  of  the  wicked. 

5  Let  all  be  driven  back  with  shame 
Who  hate  Zion  ! 

6  Let  them  be  as  grass  upon  the  house-tops, 
Which  withereth  before  one  pulleth  it  up  ; 

7  With  \vhich  the  mower  fflleth  not  his  hand, 
Nor  he  that  bindeth  sheaves  his  bosom  ! 

8  And  they  who  pass  by  do  not  say, 

"  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you  ! 
We  bless  you  in  the  name  of  the  Lord !  " 


PSALM  CXXX. 

Prayer  for  forgiveness  and  help  for  Israel. 
A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  OtJT  of  deep  waters  do  I  cry  to  thee,  O  Lord  ! 

2  O  Lord,  listen  to  my  voice, 

Let  thine  ears  be  attentive  to  my  supplication  ! 


cxxxi.]  THE   PSALMS.  253 

3  If  thou,  Lord,  shouldst  treasure  up  transgressions, 
Lord,  who  could  stand  ? 

4  But  with  thee  is  forgiveness, 
That  thou  mayst  be  feared. 

5  I  trust  in  the  Lord ;  my  soul  doth  trust, 
And  in  his  promise  do  I  confide. 

6  My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord 

More  than  the  watchman  for  the  morning ; 
Yea,  more  than  the  watchman  for  the  morning  ! 

7  O  Israel,  trust  in  the  Lord  ! 
For  with  the  Lord  is  mercy, 

And  with  him  is  plenteous  redemption. 

8  He  will  redeem  Israel 
From  all  his  iniquities. 


PSALM  CXXXI. 

Profession  of  humility  and  contentment. 
A  psalm  of  steps.     Of  David. 

1  O  Lord,  my  heart  is  not  haughty,  nor  my  eyes  lofty  ; 
I  aim  at  nothing  which  is  too  great  or  too  high  for  me  ! 

2  Yea,  I  have  composed  and  quieted  my  soul. 
Like  a  weaned  child  with  regard  to  his  mother ; 
My  soul  is  like  a  weaned  child. 

3  O  Israel,  trust  in  the  Lord, 
Henceforth,  even  for  ever  ! 

22 


^4  THE   PSALMS.  [cxxxii. 


PSALM  CXXXII. 

Prayer  at  the  dedication  of  the  temple.    With  verses  8  - 10,  compare 
2  Chron.  vi.  41,  42, 

A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  O  Lord,  remember  David, 
And  all  his  affliction ! 

2  How  he  sware  to  Jehovah, 

And  vowed  to  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob  : 

3  "  I  will  not  go  into  my  house, 
Nor  lie  down  on  my  bed, 

4  I  will  not  give  sleep  to  my  eyes. 
Nor  slumber  to  my  eyelids, 

5  Until  I  find  a  place  for  Jehovah, 

A  habitation  for  the  Mighty  One  of  Jacob." 

6  Behold,  we  heard  of  it  at  Ephratah  ; 
We  found  it  in  the  fields  of  Jaar. 

7  Let  us  go  into  his  tabernacle  ; 
Let  us  worship  at  his  footstool ! 

8  Arise,  O  Jehovah,  into  thy  rest. 
Thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  glory  ! 

9  Let  thy  priests  be  clothed  with  righteousness, 
And  thy  holy  ones  shout  for  joy ! 

10  For  the  sake  of  thy  servant  David, 
Reject  not  the  prayer  of  thine  anointed  ! 

11  Jehovah  hath  sworn  in  truth  unto  David, 
And  he  will  not  depart  from  it : 

"  The  fruit  of  thy  body  will  I  set  upon  the  throne. 

12  If  thy  children  keep  my  covenant. 
And  my  statutes,  which  I  teach  them. 
Their  children  also  throughout  all  ages 
Shall  sit  upon  thy  throne." 


cxxxin.]  THE   PSALMS.  255 

13  For  Jehovah  hath  chosen  Zion  ; 

He  hath  desired  it  as  his  dwelling-place. 

14  "  This  is  my  resting-place  for  ever  ; 
Here  will  I  dwell,  for  I  have  chosen  it. 

15  I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision  ; 
I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread. 

16  I  will  also  clothe  her  priests  with  salvation, 
And  her  holy  ones  shall  shout  aloud  for  joy. 

17  There  will  I  exalt  the  power  of  David  ; 

I  have  prepared  a  light  for  mine  anointed. 

18  His  enemies  will  I  clothe  with  shame, 
And  the  crown  shall  glitter  upon  his  head." 


PSALM  CXXXIII. 

Praise  of  unity  among  brethren. 
A  psalm  of  steps.     By  David. 

1  Behold,  how  good  and  pleasant  it  is 
For  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity ! 

2  It  is  like  precious  perfume  upon  the  head. 
Which  ran  down  upon  the  beard. 

The  beard  of  Aaron, 

Which  went  down  to  the  very  border  of  his  garments  ; 

3  Like  the  dew  of  Hermon, 

Like  that  which  descendeth  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion. 
For  there  Jehovah  commandeth  a  blessing. 
Even  prosperity  for  ever. 


256  THE  PSALMS.  [cxxxiv.,  cxxxv. 


PSALM  CXXXIV. 

Exhortation  to  the  servants  of  the  temple  to  celebrate  the  praises  of  God. 
A  psalm  of  steps. 

1  O  PRAISE  the  Lord,  all  ye  servants  of  the  Lord, 
Who  stand  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  by  night ! 

2  Lift  up  your  hands  to  the  sanctuary, 
And  praise  the  Lord  ! 

3  May  the  Lord,  who  made  heaven  and  earth. 
Bless  thee  out  of  Zion  ! 


PSALM  CXXXV. 

A  psalm  of  praise  to  Jehovah. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

Praise  ye  the  name  of  the  Lord  ! 
Praise  him,  O  ye  servants  of  the  Lord  ! 

2  Ye  who  stand  in  the  house  of  the  Lord, 
In  the  courts  of  the  house  of  our  God  ! 

3  Praise  ye  the  Lord,  for  he  is  good ; 
Praise  his  name,  for  he  is  kind  ! 

4  For  the  Lord  chose  Jacob  for  himself, 
And  Israel  for  his  own  possession. 

6  I  know  that  the  Lord  is  great ; 

That  our  Lord  is  above  all  gods. 
6  All  that  the  Lord  pleaseth,  that  he  doeth, 

In  heaven  and  upon  earth. 

In  the  sea,  and  in  all  deeps. 


cxxxv.j  THE    PSALMS.  257 

7  He  causeth  the  clouds  to  ascend  from  the  ends  of  the  earth ; 
He  maketh  lightnings  with  the  rain ; 

He  bringeth  the  wind  from  his  store-houses. 

8  He  smote  the  first-born  of  Egypt, 
Both  of  man  and  beast. 

9  He  sent  signs  and  wonders  into  the  midstof  thee,  O  Egypt, 
Against  Pharaoh  and  all  his  servants ! 

10  He  smote  many  nations, 
And  slew  mighty  kings  ; 

11  Sihon,  the  king  of  the  Amorites, 
And  Og,  the  king  of  Bashan, 
And  all  the  kings  of  Canaan, 

12  And  gave  their  land  for  an  inheritance, 
For  an  inheritance  to  Israel,  his  people. 

13  Thy  name,  O  Lord,  endureth  for  ever, 
And  thy  glory  to  all  generations  ! 

14  For  the  Lord  maintaineth  the  cause  of  his  people  ; 
He  hath  compassion  on  his  servants. 

15  The  idols  of  the  nations  are  silver  and  gold. 
The  work  of  men's  hands. 

16  They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not ; 
Eyes  have  they,  but  they  see  not. 

17  They  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not ; 
And  there  is  no  breath  in  their  mouths. 

18  They  that  make  them  are  like  them ; 
So  is  every  one  that  trusteth  in  them. 

19  Praise  the  Lord,  O  house  of  Israel ! 
Praise  the  Lord,  O  house  of  Aaron  ! 

20  Praise  the  Lord,  O  house  of  Levi ! 
Ye  that  fear  the  Lord,  bless  the  Lord  ! 

21  Praised  be  the  Lord  out  of  Zion, 
He  that  dwelleth  in  Jerusalem  ! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

22* 


258  THE  PSALMS.  [cxxxvi. 

PSALM  CXXXVL 

A  psalm  of  thanksgiving. 

1  O  GIVE  thanks  to  the  Lord,  for  he  is  kind  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  \ 

2  O  give  thanks  to  the  God  of  gods  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

3  O  give  thanks  to  the  Lord  of  lords ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

4  To  him  who  alone  doeth  great  wonders ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 

5  To  him  that  made  the  heavens  with  wisdom  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

6  To  him  that  spread  out  the  earth  upon  the  waters  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

7  To  him  that  made  the  great  lights  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

8  The  sun  to  rule  the  day  ; 

For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

9  The  moon  and  stars  to  rule  the  night ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

10  To  him  that  smote  the  first-born  of  Egypt ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 

11  And  brought  Israel  from  the  midst  of  them  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

12  With  a  strong  hand  and  an  outstretched  arm  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

13  To  him  who  divided  the  Red  sea  into  parts  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

14  And  made  Israel  to  pass  through  the  midst  of  it ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 


cxxxvii.]  THE   PSALMS.  259 

15  And  overthrow  Pharaoh  and  his  host  in  the  Red  sea  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

16  To  him  who  led  his  people  through  the  wilderness ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

17  To  him  who  smote  great  kings  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

18  And  slew  mighty  kings  ; 

For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

19  Sihon,  the  king  of  the  Amorites  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 

20  And  Og,  the  king  of  Bashan  ; 

For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

21  And  gave  their  land  for  an  inheritance  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

22  For  an  inheritance  to  Israel  his  servant ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 

23  Who  remembered  us  in  our  low  estate ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

24  And  redeemed  us  from  our  enemies ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever  ! 

25  Who  giveth  food  unto  all ; 

For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 

26  O  give  thanks  to  the  God  of  heaven  ; 
For  his  goodness  endureth  for  ever ! 


PSALM  CXXXVII. 

The  sadness  of  the  captivity  at  Babylon. 

1  By  the  rivers  of  Babylon,  there  we  sat  dov/n,  yea,  we 

wept. 
When  we  remembered  Zion. 

2  We  hanged  our  harps  upon  the  willows  in  the  land. 


260  THE  PSALMS.  [cxxxviii. 

3  For  there  they  that  carried  us  away  captive  required  of  us 

a  song ; 
They  that  wasted  us  required  of  us  mirth  : 
"  Sing  us  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion  ! " 

4  How  shall  we  sing  Jehovah's  song 
In  a  strange  land  ? 

6  If  I  forget  thee,  O  Jerusalem, 
Let  my  right  hand  forget  her  cunning  I 

6  If  I  do  not  remember  thee. 

Let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth ! 
If  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy ! 

7  Remember,  0  Lord,  the  conduct  of  the  children  of  Edom 
In  the  day  of  the  calamity  of  Jerusalem  ! 

Who  said,  "  Raze  it. 

Raze  it  to  the  very  foundations  !  " 

8  O  daughter  of  Babylon,  thou  destroyer  ! 
Happy  be  he  who  requiteth  thee 

As  thou  hast  dealt  with  us ! 

9  Happy  be  he  who  taketh  thy  little  ones 
And  dasheth  them  against  the  stones  ! 


PSALM  CXXXVIII. 

Thanksgiving  for  deliverance. 
Ji  'psalm  of  David. 

1  1  WILL  praise  thee  with  my  whole  heart ; 
Before  the  gods  will  I  sing  praise  to  thee  ; 

2  I  will  worship  toward  thy  holy  temple. 

And  jiraise  thee  for  thy  goodness  and  thy  truth ; 

For  thou  hast  magnified  thy  promise  above  all  thy  praise ! 


cxxxix.]  THE   PSALMS.  261 

3  In  the  day  when  I  called,  thou  didst  hear  me  ; 
Thou  didst  strengthen  me,  and  encourage  my  soul. 

4  All  the  kings  of  the  earth  shall  praise  thee,  O  Lord, 
When  they  hear  the  promises  of  thy  mouth  ! 

5  Yea,  they:  shall  sing  of  the  ways  of  the  Lord, 
For  great  is  the  glory  of  the  Lord. 

6  The  Lord  is  high,  yet  he  looketh  upon  the  humble, 
And  the  proud  he  knoweth  from  afar. 

7  Though  I  walk  through  the  midst  of  trouble,  thou  wilt  re- 

vive me ; 
Thou  wilt  stretch  forth  thy  hand  against  the  wrath  of  my 

enemies ; 
Thou  wilt  save  me  by  thy  right  hand  ! 

8  The  Lord  will  perform  all  things  for  me  ; 
Thy  goodness,  O  Lord,  endureth  for  ever  ; 
Forsake  not  the  works  of  thine  hands  ! 


PSALM  CXXXIX. 

The  universal  presence  and  knowledge  of  God. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  O  Lord,  thou  hast  searched  me  and  known  me ! 

2  Thou  knowest  my  resting  and  my  rising ; 
Thou  understandest  my  thoughts  from  afar ! 

3  Thou  seest  my  path  and  my  lying  down. 
And  art  acquainted  with  all  my  ways  ! 

4  Before  the  word  is  upon  my  tongue. 
Behold,  O  Lord,  thou  knowest  it  altogether  ! 

6  Thou  besettest  me  behind  and  before, 
And  layest  thine  hand  upon  me  ! 


262  THE   PSALMS.  [cxxxix. 

6  Such  knowledge  is  too  wonderful  for  me ; 
It  is  high,  I  cannot  attain  to  it ! 

7  Whither  shall  I  go  from  thy  spirit, 

And  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ? 

8  If  I  ascend  into  heaven,  thou  art  there  ! 

If  I  make  my  bed  in  the  underworld,  behold,  thou  art  there ! 

9  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning, 

And  dwell  in  the  remotest  parts  of  the  sea, 

10  Even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me, 
And  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me  ! 

11  If  I  say.  Surely  the  darkness  shall  cover  me  ; 
Even  the  night  shall  be  light  about  me. 

12  Yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee, 
But  the  night  shineth  as  the  day  ; 

The  darkness  and  the  light  are  both  alike  to  thee  ! 

13  For  thou  didst  form  my  reins  ; 

Thou  didst  weave  me  in  my  mother's  womb. 

14  I  will  praise  thee ;  for  I  am  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made ; 
Marvellous  are  thy  works, 

And  this  my  soul  knoweth  full  well ! 

15  My  substance  was  not  hidden  from  thee. 
When  I  was  made  in  secret, 

When  I  was  curiously  wrought  in  the  lower  parts  of  the 
earth. 

16  Thine  eyes  did  see  my  substance,  while  yet  unformed. 
And  in  thy  book  was  every  thing  written  ; 

My  days  were  appointed  before  one  of  them  existed. 

17  How  precious  to  me  are  thy  thoughts,  O  God  ! 
How  great  is  the  sum  of  them  ! 

18  If  I  should  count  them,  they  would  outnumber  the  sand ; 
When  I  awake,  I  am  still  with  thee  ! 

19  O  that  thou  wouldst  slay  the  wicked,  O  God  ! 
Ye  men  of  blood,  depart  from  me  ! 


cxL.]  THE   PSALMS.  263 

20  For  they  speak  evil  against  thee  ; 

Thine  enemies  are  lifted  up  to  utter  impiety. 

21  Do  I  not  hate  them  that  hate  thee,  O  Lord  ? 
Do  I  not  abhor  them  that  rise  up  against  thee  ? 

22  Yea,  I  hate  them  with  perfect  hatred  ; 
I  count  them  mine  enemies. 

23  Search  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart ; 
Try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  ; 

24  And  see  if  there  be  any  idolatrous  way  in  me, 
And  lead  me  in  the  ancient  way  ! 


PSALM  CXL. 

Prayer  for  aid  against  the  wicked. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Deliver  me,  O  Lord,  from  the  evil  man  ; 
Save  me  from  the  man  of  violence  ! 

2  Who  meditate  mischief  in  their  hearts, 
And  daily  stir  up  war. 

3  They  sharpen  their  tongues  like  a  serpent ; 
The  poison  of  the  adder  is  under  their  lips. 

4  Defend  me,  O  Lord,  from  the  hands  of  the  wicked  ; 
Preserve  me  from  men  of  violence. 

Who  have  purposed  to  cause  my  fall ! 

5  The  proud  have  hidden  snares  and  cords  for  me ; 
They  have  spread  a  net  by  the  way-side  ; 
They  have  set  gins  for  me. 

6  I  say  to  Jehovah,  Thou  -art  my  God  ; 

Hear,  O  Jehovah,  the  voice  of  my  supplication ! 

7  O  Lord,  Jehovah,  thou  art  my  powerful  aid  ; 
Thou  shelterest  my  head  in  the  day  of  battle. 


264  THE  PSALMS.  [cxli. 

8  Grant  not,  O  Lord,  the  desires  of  the  wicked  ; 
Let  not  their  devices  prosper  ; 

Let  them  not  exalt  themselves  ! 

9  As  for  the  heads  of  those  that  encompass  me, 
Let  the  mischief  of  their  own  lips  cover  them  ! 

10  Let  burning  coals  fall  upon  them  ; 
May  they  be  cast  into  the  fire, 

And  into  deep  waters  from  which  they  shall  never  arise ! 

11  The  slanderer  shall  not  be  established  upon  the  earth  ; 
Evil  shall  pursue  the  violent  man  to  destruction. 

12  I  know  that  Jehovah  will  maintain  the  cause  of  the  afflicted, 
And  defend  the  rights  of  the  poor. 

13  Yea,  the  righteous  shall  praise  thy  name  ; 
The  upright  shall  dwell  in  thy  presence  ! 


PSALM  CXLL 

A  prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies. 
For  the  leader  of  the  music.     A  psalm  of  David. 

1  I  CRY  to  thee,  O  Lord  !  make  haste  unto  me  ! 
Give  ear  to  my  voice,  when  I  cry  unto  thee ! 

2  Let  my  prayer  come  before  thee  as  incense. 

And  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands,  as  the  evening  sacrifice ! 

3  Set  a  watch,  O  Lord,  before  my  mouth  ; 
Keep  the  door  of  my  lips  ! 

4  Let  not  my  heart  incline  to  any  evil  thing ; 

Let  me  not  practise  wickedness  with  the  impious. 
And  let  me  not  eat  of  their  delicacies  ! 

5  Let  the  righteous  smite  me  ;  it  shall  be  a  kindness  ; 
Let  him  reprove  me,  and  it  shall  be  oil  for  my  head  ; 


cxLii.]  THE   PSALMS.  265 

Let  him  repeat  it,  and  my  head  shall  not  refuse  it ; 
But  now  I  pray  against  their  wickedness  ! 

6  May  their  judges  be  hurled  over  the  side  of  the  rock  ! 
Then  let  them  hear  my  words,  which  are  peaceful. 

7  Our  bones  are  scattered  at  the  mouth  of  the  underworld, 
Like  clods  of  earth  and  chips  of  wood  upon  the  ground. 

8  But  to  thee  do  my  eyes  look,  O  Lord  Jehovah, 
In  thee  is  my  trust ; 

Let  not  my  life  be  poured  out  ! 

9  Preserve  me  from  the  snares  which  they  have  laid  for  me, 
And  from  the  gins  of  evil-doers  ! 

10  Let  the  wicked  fall  into  their  own  nets  together, 
Whilst  I  make  my  escape  ! 


PSALM  CXLII. 

Prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies. 
A  psalm  of  David  ;  a  prayer^  when  he  was  in  the  cave. 

1  I  CRY  unto  the  Lord  with  my  voice  ; 

With  my  voice  to  the  Lord  do  I  make  my  supplication. 

2  I  pour  out  my  complaint  before  him  ; 
I  declare  before  him  my  distress. 

3  When  my  spirit  within  me  was  overwhelmed. 
Thou  knewest  my  path  ! 

In  the  way  which  I  walk,  they  have  hid  a  snare  for  me. 

4  I  look  on  my  right  hand,  and  behold. 
But  no  man  will  know  me  ; 
Refuge  faileth  me  ; 

No  one  careth  for  me. 
23 


266  THE  PSALMS.  [cxliii. 

5  I  cry  to  thee,  O  Lord  ! 

I  say,  Thou  art  my  refuge. 

My  portion  in  the  land  of  the  living. 

6  Attend  to  my  cry,  for  I  am  brought  very  low  ; 
Deliver  me  from  my  persecutors, 

For  they  prevail  against  me  ! 

7  Bring  me  out  of  prison, 
That  I  may  praise  thy  name  ! 

The  righteous  shall  gather  around  me. 
When  thou  shalt  show  me  thy  favor. 


PSALM  CXLIIL 

A  prayer  for  deliverance  from  enemies. 
A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Hear  my  prayer,  O  Lord ;  give  ear  to  my  supplications ! 
In  thy  faithfulness  answer  me,  and  in  thy  righteousness ! 

2  Enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant. 

For  before  thee  shall  no  man  living  be  found  righteous. 

3  For  my  enemy  pursueth  me  ; 

He  hath  smitten  me  to  the  ground  ; 
He  hath  made  me  dwell  in  darkness. 
As  those  that  have  been  long  dead. 

4  My  spirit  within  me  is  overwhelmed  ; 
My  heart  within  me  is  desolate. 

5  I  remember  the  days  of  old  ; 
I  meditate  on  all  thy  works  ; 

I  muse  on  the  deeds  of  thy  hands. 

6  I  stretch  forth  my  hands  unto  thee  ; 

My  soul  thirsteth  for  thee,  like  a  parched  land. 


cxLiv.]  THE   PSALMS.  267 

7  Hear  me  speedily,  O  Lord  ! 
My  spirit  faileth  ; 

Hide  not  thy  face  from  me, 

Lest  I  become  like  those  who  go  down  to  the  pit ! 

8  Cause  me  to  see  thy  loving-kindness  speedily, 
For  in  thee  do  I  trust ! 

Make  known' to  me  the  way  which  I  should  take, 
For  to  thee  do  I  lift  up  my  soul ! 

9  Deliver  me,  O  Lord,  from  mine  enemies  ; 
For  in  thee  do  I  seek  reiiige  ! 

10  Teach  me  to  do  thy  will. 
For  thou  art  my  God  ! 

Let  thy  good  spirit  lead  me  in  a  plain  path  ! 

11  Revive  me,  O  Lord,  for  thy  name's  sake  ! 

In  thy  righteousness,  bring  me  out  of  my  distress ! 

12  And  in  thy  compassion,  cut  off  mine  enemies, 
And  destroy  all  that  distress  me  ! 

For  I  am  thy  servant. 


PSALM   CXLIV. 

Thanksgiving,  prayer  against  enemies,  and  supplication  for  blessings  upon 
the  people. 

A  psalm  of  David. 

1  Blessed  be  Jehovah,  my  rock. 
Who  teacheth  my  hands  to  war, 
And  my  fingers  to  fight ! 

2  He,  who  is'my  benefactor  and  my  fortress  ; 
My  high  tower,  and  my  deliverer  ; 

My  shield,  in  whom  I  seek  refuge ; 
Who  subdueth  the  nations  under  me.     . 


268  THE   PSALMS.  [cxliv. 

3  Lord,  what  is  man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him, 

Or  the  son  of  man,  that  thou  makest  account  of  him  ? 

4  Man  is  hke  a  vapor  ; 

His  life  is  like  a  shadow  that  passeth  away. 

5  Bow  thy  heavens,  O  Lord,  and  come  down  ; 
Touch  the  mountains,  that  they  may  smoke  ! 

6  Cast  forth  lightnings,  and  scatter  them  ; 
Shoot  forth  thine  arrows,  and  destroy  them  ! 

7  Send  forth  thine  hand  from  above  ; 
Rescue  and  save  me  from  deep  waters  ; 
From  the  hands  of  aliens, 

8  Whose  mouth  uttereth  deceit. 

And  whose  right  hand  is  a  right  hand  of  falsehood  ! 

9  I  will  sing  to  thee  a  new  song,  O  God  ! 

Upon  a  ten-stringed  psaltery  will  I  sing  praise  to  thee  ; 

10  To  thee,  who  givest  salvation  to  kings, 

Who  deliverest  David,  thy  servant,  from  the  destructive 
sword  ! 

11  Rescue  and  deliver  me  from  the  hands  of  aliens. 
Whose  mouth  uttereth  deceit, 

And  whose  right  hand  is  a  right  hand  of  falsehood  ! 

12  That  our  sons  may  be  as    plants. 
Grown  up  in  their  youth  ; 

Our  daughters  as  well  polished  corner-pillars. 
Like  those  of  a  palace  ! 

13  That  our  gamers  may  be  full, 
Affording  all  kinds  of  store  ; 

That  our  sheep  may  bring  forth  thousands  ' 
And  ten  thousands  in  our  streets  ; 

14  That  our  cattle  may  be  fruitful ; 

That  there  be  no  breaking  in,  nor  going  out, 
And  no  outcry  in  our  streets  ; 


cxLv.]  THE   PSALMS.  269 

15  Happy  the  people  that  is  in  such  a  state  ! 
Yea,  happy  the  people  whose  God  is  Jehovah ! 


PSALM  CXLV. 

Praise  to  God  for  his  righteous  and  merciful  government  and  kind  provi- 
dence. 

A  song  of  praise.     By  David. 

1  I  WILL  extol  thee,  my  God,  my  King  ! 
I  will  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever  ! 

2  Every  day  will  I  bless  thee, 

And  praise  thy  name  for  ever  and  ever ! 

3  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised  ; 
Y^a,  his  greatness  is  unsearchable. 

4  One  generation  shall  praise  thy  works  to  another. 
And  shall  declare  thy  mighty  deeds. 

6  I  will  speak  of  the  glorious  splendor  of  thy  majesty, 
And  of  thy  wonderful  works. 

6  Men  shall  speak  of  the  might  of  thy  terrible  deeds. 
And  I  will  declare  thy  greatness  ; 

7  They  shall  proclaim  the  praise  of  thy  great  goodness, 
And  sing  of  thy  bounty. 

8  The  Lord  is  gracious,  and  full  of  compassion, 
Slow  to  anger,  and  rich  in  mercy. 

9  Jehovah  is  good  to  all. 

And  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works. 

10  All  thy  works  praise  thee,  O  Lord, 
And  thy  servants  bless  thee  ! 

11  They  speak  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom, 
And  talk  of  thy  power ; 

23* 


27ft  THE   PSALMS.  [cxlvi. 

12  To  make  known  to  the  sons  of  men  thy  mighty  deeds, 
And  the  glorious  majesty  of  thy  kingdom. 

13  Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom, 

And  thy  dominion  endureth  throughout  all  generations. 

14  The  Lord  upholdeth  all  that  fall. 

And  raiseth  up  all  that  are  bowed  down. 

15  The  eyes  of  all  wait  upon  thee. 

And  thou  givest  them  their  food  in  due  season ; 

16  Thou  openest  thine  hand, 

And  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living  thing. 

17  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways. 
And  merciful  in  all  his  works. 

18  The  Lord  is  nigh  to  all  that  call  upon  him. 
To  all  that  call  upon  him  in  truth. 

19  He  fulfilleth  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him  ; 
He  heareth  their  cry,  and  helpeth  them. 

20  The  Lord  preserveth  all  that  love  him  ; 
But  all  the  wicked  he  will  destroy. 

21  My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  the  Lord  ; 

Let  all  men  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and  ever  ! 


PSALM  CXLVI. 

The  justice  and  mercy  of  God. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 
Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! 

2  I  will  praise  the  Lord,  as  long  as  I  live  ; 

I  will  sing  praises  to  my  God,  while  I  have  my  being. 

3  Put  not  your  trust  in  princes, 

In  the  son  of  man,  in  whom  is  no  help  ! 

4  His  breath  goeth  forth  ;  he  returneth  to  the  dust ; 
In  that  very  day  his  designs  perish. 


cxLVii.]  THE   PSALMS.  271 

5  Happy  is  he  that  hath  the  God  of  Jacob  for  his  help  ; 
Whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord,  his  God  ! 

6  He  made  heaven  and  earth, 
The  sea,  and  all  that  is  therein  ; 
He  keepeth  truth  for  ever. 

7  He  maintaineth  the  cause  of  the  oppressed  ; 
He  giveth  food  to  the  hungry  ; 

The  Lord  setteth  free  the  prisoners. 

8  The  Lord  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind  ; 
The  Lord  raiseth  them  that  are  bowed  down  ; 
The  Lord  loveth  the  righteous. 

9  The  Lord  defendeth  the  alien  ; 

He  relieveth  the  fatherless  and  the  widow  ; 
But  the  way  of  the  wicked  he  maketh  crooked. 
10  The  Lord  shall  reign  for  ever, 

Thy  God,  O  Zion,  to  all  generations  ! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


PSALM  CXLVIL 

The  power  and  goodness  of  God,  and  his  peculiar  favor  to  Israel. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

For  it  is  good  to  sing  praises  to  our  God  ; 
For  praise  is  pleasant  and  becoming. 

2  The  Lord  rebuildeth  Jerusalem  ; 

He  gathereth  together  the  exiles  of  Israel. 

3  He  healeth  the  brolcen  in  heart. 
And  bindeth  up  their  wounds. 

4  He  counteth  the  number  of  the  stars  ; 
He  calleth  them  all  by  their  names. 

5  Great  is  our  Lord,  and  mighty  in  power  ; 
His  understanding  is  infinite. 


272  THE   PSALMS.  [cxlvii. 

6  The  Lord  lifteth  up  the  lowly  ; 

He  casteth  the  wicked  down  to  the  ground. 

7  Sing  to  the  Lord  with  thanksgiving ; 
Sing  praises  to  our  God  upon  the  harp  ! 

8  He  covereth  the  heavens  with  clouds ; 
He  prepareth  rain  for  the  earth  ; 

He  causeth  grass  to  grow  upon  the  mountains ; 

9  He  giveth  to  the  beast  his  food, 

And  to  the  young  ravens,  that  cry  to  him. 

10  He  delighteth  not  in  the  strength  of  the  horse. 
He  taketh  not  pleasure  in  the  feet  of  men. 

11  The  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  those  who  fear  him, 
In  those  who  trust  in  his  mercy. 

12  Praise  the  Lord,  O  Jerusalem  ! 
Praise  thy  God,  O  Zion  ! 

13  For  he  hath  strengthened  the  bars  of  thy  gates ; 
He  hath  blessed  thy  children  within  thee. 

14  He  maketh  peace  in  thy  borders. 

And  satisfieth  thee  with  the  finest  of  the  wheat. 

15  He  sendeth  forth  his  command  to  the  earth ; 
His  word  runneth  very  swiftly. 

16  He  giveth  snow  like  wool. 

And  scattereth  the  hoar-frost  like  ashes. 

17  He  casteth  forth  his  ice  like  morsels ; 
Who  can  stand  before  his  cold .? 

18  He  sendeth  forth  his  word  and  mclteth  them  ; 
He  maketh  his  wind  to  rise,  and  the  waters  flow. 

19  He  publishcth  his  word  to  Jacob, 
His  statutes  and  laws  to  Israel. 

20  He  hath  dealt  in  this  manner  with  no  other  nation  ; 
No  other  nation  hath  known  his  statutes. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


cxLViii.]  THE   PSALMS.  273 

PSALM  CXLVIII. 

Invocation  of  the  heavens  and  the  earth  to  praise  the  Lord, 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

Praise  the  Lord  from  the  heavens  ! 
Praise  him  in  the  heights  ! 

2  Praise  him,  all  ye  his  angels  ! 
Praise  him,  all  ye  his  hosts  ! 

3  Praise  ye  him,  sun  and  moon  ! 
Praise  him,  all  ye  stars  of  light ! 

4  Praise  Jiim,  ye  highest  heavens  ! 

Ye  waters,  that  are  above  the  heavens  ! 

5  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord  ; 
For  he  commanded,  and  they  were  created. 

6  He  hath  also  established  them  for  ever ; 

He  hath  given  them  a  law,  which  they  do  not  transgress. 

7  Praise  the  Lord  on  the  earth, 
Ye  sea-monsters,  and  all  deeps  ! 

8  Fire  and  hail,  snow  and  vapor. 
Thou  tempest,  that  fulfiUest  his  word  ! 

9  Ye  mountains,  and  all  hills  ! 
Fruit-trees,  and  all  cedars  ! 

10  Ye  wild  beasts,  and  all  cattle  ! 

Ye  creeping  things,  and  winged  birds  ! 

11  Ye  kings,  and  all  people. 

Princes,  and  all  judges  of  the  earth  ! 

12  Young  men  and  maidens. 
Old  men  and  children  ! 

13  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord  ! 
For  his  name  alone  is  exalted  ; 

His  glory  is  above  the  earth  and  heavens. 


274  THE   PSALMS.  [cxlix. 

14  He  exalteth  the  power  of  his  people, 
The  glory  of  all  his  servants, 
The  children  of  Israel,  the  people  near  to  him. 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


PSALM  CXLIX. 

Praise  to  God  for  national  blessings,  especially  for  success  against  foreign 
enemies. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 

Sing  unto  the  Lord  a  new  song  ! 

His  praise  in  the  assembly  of  his  worshippers  ! 

2  Let  Israel  rejoice  in  him  that  made  him  ; 
Let  the  sons  of  Zion  be  joyful  in  their  king  ! 

3  Let  them  praise  his  name  in  the  dance  ; 

Let  them  praise  him  with  the  timbrel  and  harp  ! 

4  For  the  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  his  people ; 
He  will  beautify  the  distressed  with  salvation. 

5  Let  the  pious  rejoice  in  their  glory, 
Let  them  shout  for  joy  upon  their  beds  ! 

6  Let  the  praises  of  God  be  in  their  mouth, 
And  a  two-edged  sword  in  their  hand, 

7  To  execute  vengeance  upon  the  nations. 
And  punishment  upon  the  people  ! 

8  To  bind  their  kings  with  chains. 
And  their  nobles  with  fetters  of  iron  ; 

9  To  execute  upon  them  the  sentence  which  is  written ; 
Such  honor  have  all  the  pious. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


CL.]  THE   PSALMS.  275 

PSALM   CL. 

Exhortation  to  praise  God. 

1  Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 
Praise  God  in  his  sanctuary  ! 
Praise  him  in  his  glorious  firmament ! 

2  Praise  him  for  his  mighty  deeds  ! 

Praise  him  according  to  his  excellent  greatness  ! 

3  Praise  him  with  the  sound  of  trumpets  ! 
Praise  him  with  the  psaltery  and  harp  ! 

4  Praise  him  with  the  timbrel  and  dance  ! 
Praise  him  with  stringed  instruments  and  pipes ! 

5  Praise  him  with  the  clear-sounding  cymbals  ! 
Praise  him  with  the  high-sounding  cymbals  ! 

6  Let  every  thing  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord ! 
Praise  ye  the  Lord  ! 


NOTES 


24 


NOTES 


Ps.  I. 


This  psalm  sets  forth  in  vivid  and  picturesque  description  the 
happiness  of  the  righteous  and  the  misery  of  the  wicked.  It  is 
quite  a  probable  supposition,  that  it  was  prefixed  by  one  of  the  com- 
pilers of  the  Psalms,  see  p.  27,  &c.,  as  an  introduction  to  his  collec- 
tion. This  may  be  the  reason,  that,  in  some  manuscripts,  it  seema 
not  to  have  been  numbered  with  the  other  psalms,  and  in  others  to 
have  been  united  with  the  second  psalm. 

The  promises  of  the  Jewish  religion,  limited  as  they  are  to  the 
present  world,  are  to  be  regarded  as  statements  of  what  is  generally 
true,  or  of  what  is  the  tendency  of  piety  and  virtue,  other  things 
being  equal.  Our  Saviour,  in  his  instructions,  makes  much  less 
account  of  outward  good  than  the  Jewish  writers.  He  had  meat  to 
give,  as  well  as  to  eat,  which  the  world  knew  not  of  He  promises 
his  followers  something  better  than  length  of  days,  or  riches  and 
honors;  a  treasure  which  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away, 
namely,  riches  of  the  soul,  a  heart  at  peace  with  itself  and  with 
God,  a  consciousness  of  the  divine  favor,  and  a  hope  extending  into 
eternity,  —  in  a  word,  spiritual  and  everlasting  life. 

3.  —  like  a  tree.  In  a  country  where  water  was  scarce  and  the 
trees  and  herbs  were  often  parched  with  heat,  this  image  was  more 
striking  than  it  can  appear  to  us,  who  live  in  a  climate  where  the 
trees  are  usually  green,  wherever  they  stand.  See  Bush's  Illus- 
trations, ad  loc. 

5.  —  shall  not  stand.  This  may  be  understood  in  a  general 
sense,  that  the  wicked  shall  fall  into  ruin,  or  in  a  legal  sense,  that 


280  NOTES. 

they  shall  fail  in  their  cause.  —  in  judgment :  i.  e.  when  they  are 
judged  by  the  Almighty.  The  allusion  is  to  those  signal  seasons 
of  retribution  with  which  divine  Providence  visits  evil-doers  in  this 
world.  Comp.  Is.  iii.  14,  Mai.  iii.  5,  Job  xix.  29.  —  in  the  assem- 
bly of  the  just :  i.  e.  in  the  assembly  of  the  righteous  Israelites,  who 
are  preserved  and  blessed  by  the  Almighty,  the  wicked  shall  not 
be  found,  having  been  separated  therefrom  by  the  just  judgments 
of  God.     Comp.  Is.  i.  24-28,  iv.  2-6. 

6.  —  knoweth :  i.  e.  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  righteous, 
and  cares  for  them. 

Ps.  II. 

This  psalm  purports  to  have  been  composed  by  a  king,  soon  after 
his  inauguration  to  his  office.  He  is  full  of  pious  confidence  in 
God,  as  having  appointed  him  to  his  high  destiny.  He  feels  him- 
self to  be  the  earthly  representative  of  Jehovah,  and  regards  the  at- 
tempts of  subject  nations  to  throw  oif  his  yoke  as  offences  against 
his  God.  The  sentiments  which  he  expresses  are  not  very  differ- 
ent from  those  which  have  been  entertained  by  modern  kings  and 
their  supporters,  though  the  language  is  peculiar  to  a  king  of  Israel, 
an  Eastern  monarch  of  a  peculiar  religious  faith.  The  young  king 
feels  sure  that  the  attempts  of  his  enemies,  being  offences  against 
Jehovah,  as  well  as  himself,  the  anointed  vicegerent  of  Jehovah, 
will  be  frustrated,  and  that  he  shall  be  signally  victorious  over  them 
all.  He  earnestly  admonishes  the  insurgents  to  desist  from  their 
rebellious  attempts,  and  put  themselves  under  the  protection  of 
Jehovah  by  paying  homage  to  his  earthly  representative,  before  they 
should  feel  the  effects  of  his  anger. 

The  language  of  the  psalm  in  verse  seventh  evidently  implies 
that  the  writer  of  the  psalm  is  the  king  who  is  the  subject  of  it, 
whether  it  be  David  or  some  other  Jewish  king.  The  rebellion 
described  in  it  is  also  represented  as  existing  in  the  time  of  the 
writer.  It  is  only  in  a  typical  sense,  therefore,  that  Christ  and  his 
kingdom  can  be  regarded  as  the  subject  of  the  psalm.  This  has 
been  the  general  opinion  of  the  Christian  church.  Thus,  the  ver- 
sion of  the  Scriptures  published  by  Barker  in  1606,  before  the  com- 
mon version,  has  for  the  caption  of  this  psalm,  —  "The  prophet 
David  rejoiceth  that,  notwithstanding  his  enemies'  rage,  yet  God 
will  continue  his  kingdom  for  ever,  and  advance  it  even  to  the  end 
of  the  world,  and  therefore  exhorteth  kings  and  rulers  that  they 


NOTES.  281 

would  humbly  submit  themselves  under  God's  yoke,  because  it  is 
in  vain  to  resist  God,  Herein  is  figured  Christ's  kingdom."  But 
there  is  no  reason  for  supposing  that  the  writer  had  in  view  any 
kingdom  but  his  own.     See  Introduction,  p.  9. 

2.  —  Against  Jehovah.  The  government  of  the  Israelites  was 
theocratic.  Jehovah  was  regarded  as  king  of  the  Jewish  state,  so 
that  the  nations  which  combined  against  it  are  represented  as  com- 
bining against  Jehovah.  Thus,  in  1  Chron.  xxix.  23,  Solomon  is 
said  to  have  sat  upon  the  throne  of  Jehovah,  that  is,  the  throne  of 
Israel.  —  his  anointed  king.  This  epithet  v^^as  appropriate  to 
every  king  of  Israel,  as  receiving  from  Jehovah  the  power  and  au- 
thority, of  which  consecration  by  pouring  oil  upon  the  head  was  the 
outward  symbol. 

4.  —  will  laugh.  This  expression  is  designed  to  represent  in  a 
lively  manner  the  futility  of  exertions  made  in  opposition  to  the 
will  of  Jehovah. 

7.  This  verse  expresses  the  confidence  of  the  writer,  who  was 
king  of  Israel,  that  he  was  the  special  care  of  Jehovah  as  king. 
—  Thou  art  my  son  :  i.  e.  Thou  art  my  favored  king,  dear  to  me 
as  a  son.  The  term  son  of  God  is  used  in  the  Scriptures  in 
different  senses,  sometimes  denoting  that  one  is  the  object  of  special 
love  to  God,  as  a  son  is  to  a  father ;  see  Ex.  iv.  22  ;  sometimes  de- 
noting a  moral  resemblance  to  the  Deity,  as  a  son  resembles  his 
father;  thus  Christians  are  called  sons  of  God;  and  sometimes  the 
expression  denotes  resemblance  to  God  in  power  and  dominion  ; 
thus  the  term  is  applied  to  kings.  Sometimes  two  of  these  senses 
are  united.  In  this  verse  the  expression  seems  to  be  one  both  of 
endearment  and  of  office.  —  begotten  thee  :  i.  e.  made  thee  my 
favored  king.     Comp.  Ps.  Ixxxix.  26,  27,  2  Sam.  vii.  14. 

8.  —  ends  of  the  earth.  A  hyperbolical  expression,  denoting 
the  most  distant  lands.  • 

11.  Be  subject  to  Jehovah  :  i.  e.  in  a  political  sense,  by  submitting 
to  the  king  of  Israel,  his  vicegerent.     See  the  note  on  ver.  2. 

12.  Kiss  the  son.  Give  the  sign  of  political  subjection  and  hom- 
age to  the  king  of  Israel.  See  1  Sam.  x.  1.  —  lest  he  be  angry : 
i.  e.  lest  Jehovah  be  angry  ;  the  pronoun  here  referring  to  the  more 
distant  antecedent. 


24* 


282  NOTES 


Ps.  III. 


The  subject  of  this  psalm  is  a  pious  man  in  eminent  station,  prob- 
ably king  David,  surrounded  by  enemies  who  regarded  his  down- 
fall as  certain.  But  he  has  confidence  in  the  protection  of  Jehovah, 
and  prays  to  him  as  one  who  can  and  will  deliver  him.  The 
superscription  of  this  psalm  assigns  it  to  David,  and  mentions  the 
occasion  on  vv^hich  it  was  composed,  namely,  his  flight  from  his  re- 
bellious son  Absalom.  If  this  be  correct,  it  is  singular  that  there 
should  be  in  the  psalm  no  allusion  to  the  feelings  which  must  have 
agitated  the  royal  parent's  heart,  on  being  compelled  to  flee  for  his 
life  from  his  own  son. 

2.  —  no  help,  &c. :  i.  e.  it  is  all  over  with  him  ;  God  will  not 
interfere  to  save  him. 

3.  —  My  glory  :  the  cause  or  vindicator  of  my  glory  and  great- 
ness. —  lifter  up  of  my  head.  The  image  may  be  drawn  from  a 
person  sinking  in  deep  waters,  or  from  one  whose  head  is  bowed 
down  and  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  ground  in  affliction. 

4.  —  with  my  voice :  i.  e.  probably,  with  my  whole  voice,  ear- 
nestly or  aloud. 

7.  —  smitest  the  cheek,  &c.  Images  drawn  from  the  slaying  of 
a  wild  beast. 

Ps.  IV. 

The  occasion  of  this  psalm  was  similar  to  that  of  the  last.  On 
account  of  verse  eighth,  some  suppose  it  to  have  been  composed  on 
ihe  evening  of  the  day  when  the  preceding  psalm  was  sung. 

1.  —  O  God  of  my  righteousness :  i.  e.  vindicator  of  my  right- 
eous cause. 

2.  —  dishonor  my  dignity  :  i.  e.  my  royal  dignity  by  your  con- 
spiracy and  rebellion.  —  seek  disappointment:  i.  e.  How  long  will 
ye  seek  ends  which  will  prove  vain  and  be  sure  to  disappoint  you? 
Comp.  Ps.  vii.  14. 

4.  —  upon  your  beds :  in  the  season  and  place  for  independent 
reflection.  —  desist :  i.  e.  from  your  unrighteous  or  rebellious 
undertakings. 

5.  Offer  righteous  sacrifices  :  i.  e.  Think  not  to  please  God  by 
sacrifices  offered  witiiout  pure  and  pious  intentions.  Or,  Offer  sac- 
rifices which  are  due. 


NOTES. 


283 


6.  —  JVko  will  skoiOj  &c. :  i.  e.  Even  many  of  my  friends  are 
discouraged,  and  long  for  the  least  bright  interval  of  success. 

7.  — corn  and  wine  J  &c.  Is.  ix.  3.  "They  rejoice  before  thee 
with  the  joy  of  harvest." 

Ps.  V. 

3.  In  the  morning,  &c.  These  words,  being  repeated  in  the  par- 
allel line,  are  probably  to  be  understood  as  referring,  not  to  a  cus- 
tomary time  of  prayer,  but  to  the  earnestness  with  which  the  writer 
called  upon  the  Deity,  and  the  speedy  aid  which  he  hoped  to  ob- 
tain.    See  Ps.  Ixxxviii.  13. 

4.  —  dwelleth  not,  &c. :  i.  e.  as  a  guest,  or  friend ;  i.  e.  he  en- 
joys not  thy  favor  and  protection.     Comp.  Ps.  xv.  1,  Ixi.  4. 

5.  —  stand  in  thy  sight :  i.  e.  they  find  no  favor  with  thee,  as 
explained  by  the  parallel  line,  and  by  the  preceding  verse. 

8.  —  thy  righteousness:  i.  e.  that  which  thou  requirest,  which 
is  pleasing  to  thee.  —  because  of  mine  enemies :  i.  e.  because  my 
enemies  study  to  ensnare  me.     Comp.  Jer.  xx.  10. 

9.  —  Their  heart  :  literally,  inward  part  ;  used  to  denote  the 
seat  of  the  feelings,  intentions,  &c.  Ps.  xlix.  11,  Ixi  v.  6.  — an 
open  sepulchre  :  an  image  of  destruction  ;  because,  when  a  sepul- 
chre is  open,  it  is  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  a  person  into  it. 
Possibly  the  danger  of  falling  into  an  opened  sepulchre  may  be  re- 
ferred to. 

10.  —  Cast  them  out :  i.  e.  Destroy  them  from  the  congregation 
of  thy  people,  who  are  favored  and  blessed  by  thee.  Comp.  Ps.  i.  5. 
—  For  against  thee,  &c. :  i.  e.  by  rebelling  against  the  king  of  thine 
appointment. 

Ps.  VI. 

This  psalm  seems  to  contain  nothing  which  indicates  the  occa- 
sion on  which  it  was  composed.  If  it  be  a  composition  of  David, 
it  may  be  referred  to  his  situation  in  his  flight  from  his  son  Absa- 
lom as  well  as  to  any  which  the  Jewish  history  records. 

1.  —  not  in  thine  anger  :  i.  e.  in  measure,  with  kindness  and 
moderation. 

3.    —  how  long ;  i.  e.  wilt  thou  be  angry;  or  how  long  wilt 

thou  delay  to  help  me  ?  The  incompleteness  of  the  sentence  was 
designed  to  be  expressive  of  emotion. 


284  NOTES. 

5.  For  in  death^  &c.  The  poet  mentions  as  a  reason  why  his 
life  should  be  spared,  that  in  the  regions  of  the  dead  he  should 
have  no  opportunity  or  ability  to  praise  God.  The  ancient  He- 
brews do  not  appear  to  have  attained  to  faith  in  a  desirable  immor- 
tality after  death.  They  supposed  that  the  disembodied  spirits  of 
the  righteous  and  wicked  alike  went  to  a  dark  place  under  ground, 
called  Sheol,  where  they  existed  in  a  half-conscious,  thoughtless, 
inactive  condition.     See  the  New  Translation  of  Job,  p.  123. 

6.  —  to  swim  :  i.  e.  with  tears.  A  hyperbolical  expression  to 
denote  the  depth  of  his  grief 

8.  Depart,  &c.  Having  made  his  supplication  to  the  Deity,  the 
poet,  after  a  pause,  breaks  forth  into  the  language  of  hope  and 
triumph. 

Ps.  VII. 

This  psalm  contains  the  prayer  of  a  persecuted  person  against  his 
enemies,  especially  against  one  enemy  who  had  uttered  gross 
calumny  against  him.  The  inscription  of  the  psalm  sets  forth  that 
it  was  occasioned  by  the  calumnies  of  a  certain  Cush,  a  Benjamite. 
There  is  no  mention  in  the  Scripture  history  of  such  a  person  ;  but 
it  is  probable  that  he  was  one  of  the  courtiers  of  Saul,  who,  know- 
ing the  hatred  of  his  master  towards  David,  had  pretended  to  be 
David's  friend  in  order  the  more  effectually  to  secure  his  ruin  by 
his  calumnies. 

This  psalm  is  called  a  Shiggaion  of  David.  That  the  term  de- 
notes a  particular  species  of  psalm  is  evident.  But  what  it  is,  is 
altogether  uncertain.     See  p.  26. 

3.  —  If  I  have  done  this  :  i.  e.  which  my  enemy  or  the  courtiers 
of  Saul  lay  to  my  charge.     See  1  Sam.  xxiv.  10,  xxvi.  9-11. 

7.  —  thy  throne  :  the  lofty  judgment-seat  of  Jehovah  upon 
Mount  Zion  seems  to  be  denoted.  The  judgment  which  God  ad- 
ministers is  scenically  represented  in  images  borrowed  from  the 
circumstances  of  Eastern  tribunals,  which  were  usually  held  in  the 
midst  of  large  assemblies. 

10.  My  shield,  Sec.  :  i.  e.  God  is,  as  it  were,  the  shield-bearer  of 
the  righteous^  he  defends  them. 

11.  — ever  angry,  &c. :  i.e.  though  he  may  seem  to  overlook 
their  wickedness,  yet  he  in  fact  is  preparing  for  them  punishment, 
as  is  set  forth  in  ver.  12,  13. 

12.  If  he  do  not  desist :  i.  e.  If  the  wicked  man  do  not  desist 
from  his  purpose.     —  He  sharpeneth  :  i.  e.  God  sharpeneth. 


NOTES.  285 

13.  —  burning  arrows  :  i.  e.  lightning. 

14.  —  disappointment :  or  delusion,  that  which  is  false  to  one's 
expectations. 

Ps.  VIII. 

It  is  a  very  plausible  supposition,  that  this  psalm  was  composed 
by  David  while  in  the  employment  of  a  shepherd,  before  he  came 
into  the  sphere  of  human  passions  and  regal  cares.  The  images 
which  it  contains  are  drawn  from  the  starry  heavens,  which  in  his 
nightly  watches  he  had  so  often  contemplated,  and  from  the  herds 
and  flocks  which  were  his  daily  care. 

The  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  appears  to  apply  this 
psalm  to  the  Messiah  j  but  he  could  do  it  only  in  the  mystical  or 
allegorical  sense.  David  is  evidently  speaking,  not  of  any  particu- 
lar man,  but  of  mankind  in  general,  in  distinction  from  the  glorious 
works  above  them  and  the  inferior  animals  below  them. 

1.  —  TIiou  hast  setj  &c. :  otherwise.  Set  thou,  &c. 

2.  —  babes  and  sucklings.  This  phrase  is  supposed  by  most 
modern  critics  to  refer  to  literal  babes  and  sucklings,  the  glory  of 
God  being  illustrated  by  the  manner  in  which  infants  draw  their 
nourishment  from  the  breast ;  or  by  their  childish  prattle,  and  the 
curious  questions  which  they  sometimes  propose.  It  appears  to  me 
that  the  words,  being  used  in  connection  with  enemy  and  avenger, 
are  rather  used  in  a  figurative  sense,  as  when  our  Saviour  says,  — 
"  Having  hidden  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  thou  hast 
revealed  them  to  babes."  Matt.  xi.  25.  They  are  terms  of  hu- 
mility or  disparagement  in  reference  to  man  ;  perhaps  such  men  as 
the  author  of  the  psalm,  who  were  so  highly  blessed  as  to  have 
reason  to  praise  God,  or  who  were  gifted  with  poetic  inspiration  so 
as  to  be  able  to  celebrate  worthily  his  high  praises. 

5.  —  than  God.  This  is  the  usual  meaning  of  the  term,  and  is 
best  suited  to  the  connection.  It  is  so  rendered  in  some  of  the 
English  versions,  previous  to  the  common  version.  The  expression 
probably  refers  particularly  to  man's  sovereignty  over  the  animal 
creation. 

6.  —  all  things  under  his  feet.  The  connection  evidently  limits 
this  expression  to  the  lower  animals,  enumerated  in  the  following 
lines.  Roberts  observes  that  the  expression  is  a  common  one  in 
Hindostan.  Thus  they  say,  —  "  Ah  !  a  mighty  king  was  he  ;  all 
things  were  under  his  feet." 


286  NOTES. 


Pa.  IX. 


This  psalm  appears  to  be  an  ode  of  triumph  and  thanksgiving  on 
account  of  a  victory,  with  prayers  for  continued  aid.  It  evidently 
has  reference  to  foreign  enemies  of  the  whole  Jewish  nation.  It 
may  have  been  composed  after  the  wars  mentioned  in  2  Sam. 
eh.  viii.,  or  it  may  have  had  an  occasion  not  recorded  in  the  Jewish 
annals. 

To  the  Benites :  or  To  Ben;  the  name  of  an  individual. 

1.  —  marvellous  works  :  namely,  such  as  are  mentioned  in 
verses  3  and  4. 

3.  —  at  thy  presence  :  i.  e.  because  thou  wert  present,  aiding  me 
and  destroying  them. 

4.  —  upon  the  throne:  i.  e.  the  seat  of  judgment, 

6.  —  Their  memory ^  &c.  This  is  a  hyperbolical  expression, 
denoting  the  completeness  of  the  downfall  of  David's  enemies. 

12.  —  avenger  of  blood  :  i.  e.  of  the  blood  of  his  servants  and 
worshippers,  shed  by  their  enemies. 

13.  —  gates  of  death :  i.  e.  of  Sheol,  conceived  of  as  a  strong 
palace  under  ground,  with  gates  and  bars ;  a  conception  founded  on 
the  idea,  that  no  return  from  the  habitation  of  the  dead  is  possible, 
Comp.  Job  xxxviii.  17,  Is.  xxxviii.  10. 

14.  —  in  the  gates  of  the  daughter  of  Zion.  In  the  gates  of 
cities  the  great  multitude  used  to  assemble.  By  a  peculiar  idiom  of 
the  Hebrew  and  Syriac  languages,  the  daughter  of  a  city  means  its 
inhabitants.  Thus,  daughter  of  Tyre  denotes  the  Tyrians,  Ps,  xlv, 
12  J  daughter  of  Jerusalem^  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  Is.  xxxvii. 
22  ;  daughter  of  my  people^  my  countrymen,  Is,  xxii.  4,  Jer.  iv.  11, 
ix.  7,  The  city  itself,  in  reference  to  the  inhabitants  personified  as 
a  virgin,  is  the  mother  city.  See  2  Sam.  xx.  19,  Gal.  iv.  26.  See 
Gesen.  Heb.  Lex.  on  n^. 

15.  The  answer  to  his  prayer  is  now  described  in  the  ruin  of  his 
enemies. 

16.  At  the  end  of  this  verse  occur  the  words  Higgaion!  Selah ! 
the  meaning  of  which  probably  is.  Instrumental  music!  Pause  !  i.  e. 
Let  the  singers  pause,  and  the  instrumental  music  strike  up, 

17.  —  into  the  underworld  :  i,  e.  they  shall  turn  back  and  flee 
from  their  enemies,  till  they  are  destroyed,  or  go  down  into  Sheol, 
the  receptacle  of  all  the  dead. 


NOTES.  287 


Ps.  X. 


In  the  Septuagint,  and  some  other  ancient  versions,  this  psalm 
forms  the  concluding  part  of  the  last.  But  the  subject  of  it  seems 
to  be  different.  Ps.  ix.  is  a  song  of  triumph,  Ps,  x.  one  of  complaint 
and  distress.  It  seems  to  have  been  occasioned  by  the  incursions 
of  foreign  enemies  into  the  land  of  Israel.     See  ver.  16  and  18. 

1.  —  afar  off :  God  is  said  to  stand  afar  off,  and  to  hide  himself 
when  he  does  not  give  his  aid.  On  the  other  hand,  he  is  said  to 
be  with  a  person  or  a  people,  when  he  aids  or  delivers  them. 

3.  —  boasteth  of  his  heart's  desire.  The  meaning  may  be,  that 
he  succeeds  in  obtaining  all  that  he  desires,  or  that  he  boasts  of 
the  success  of  his  evil  plans. 

4.  —  He  careth  not:  i.  e.  God  careth  not. 

5.  — far  from  him  :  i.  e.  he  thinks  not  of  them. 

13.  Wherefore  doth  the  wicked,  &c. :  i.  e.  Why  dost  thou,  by  suf- 
fering the  wicked  to  go  unpunished,  give  him  occasion  to  contemn 
Ihee  ? 

14.  — markest  it  upon  thy  hand:  i.  e.  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
membering it.  Thus,  Isaiah  xlix.  16, — "  Behold,  I  have  graven  thee 
on  the  palms  of  my  hands  ;  thy  walls  are  ever  before  my  eyes." 
See  also  Maundrell's  Travels,  p.  126,  Amer.  edit. 

15.  —  Seek  out^  &c.  The  Hebrews  expressed  the  destruction 
of  a  thing  by  the  expression  to  seek  and  not  find  it.  Job  vii.  21,  Is. 
xli.  12. 

Ps.  XI. 

Of  the  occasions  recorded  in  the  Scriptures  on  which  David 
might  have  composed  this  psalm,  the  most  probable  seems  to  be  his 
persecution  by  Saul.  But  as  the  psalm  is  not  very  appropriate  to 
that  occasion,  it  may  have  been  written  by  David  or  some  other 
poet  on  some  occasion  which  is  not  recorded. 

In  opposition  to  the  timid  counsels  of  dejected  friends,  who  rep- 
resented his  affairs  as  desperate,  the  poet  expresses  a  sublime  confi- 
dence in  the  aid  which  God  would  afford  to  the  righteous  cause,  as 
the  omniscient  governor  of  men,  the  defender  of  the  righteous  and 
the  punisher  of  the  wicked. 

The  abruptness  with  which  the  third  verse  commences  has  a  fine 
effect,  and  places  in  a  strong  light  the  thought,  that  in  the  most 


288  NOTES. 

discouraging  circumstances  man  should  not  despair,  seeing  there  is 
a  righteous  government  in  the  heavens. 

2.  —  bend  their  hoto,  &c.  Observe  the  continuance  of  the  fig- 
ure draw^n  from  the  bird  flying  away  before  the  archer,  ver.  1. 

3.  If  the  pillars  he  broken  down  :  i.  e,  the  distinguished  sup- 
porters of  what  is  right  in  a  state,  firm  and  true  patriots.  Comp. 
Is.  xix.  10  :  — 

"  The  pillars  of  the  land  are  cast  down, 
And  all  who  labor  for  hire  are  grieved  in  heart." 

—  can  the  righteous  do:  i.  e.  what  else  can  he  do,  but  to  endeavour 
to  escape  ? 

Q.  —  burning  wind :  referring  to  the  wind  Samuin,  on  which 
see   the    note    on  Job   iii.   5,   or   Robinson's    Calmet,   Art.    Wind. 

—  portion  of  their  ciip.  It  is  a  favorite  mode  of  representing  pun- 
ishment among  the  Hebrews,  that  the  wicked  shall  be  made  to  drink 
it.     See  Job  xx.  23,  Ps.  Ixxv.  8. 

7.  —  see  his  face  :  i.  e.  enjoy  his  favor.  When  God  withholds 
his  favor,  he  is  said  to  hide  his  face.     Comp.  Ps.  xvii.  15. 


Ps.  XJI. 

This  psalm  is  one  of  complaint  on  account  of  the  degeneracy  of 
the  times,  especially  of  the  efforts  made  to  weaken  just  authority 
by  calumny  and  treachery.  If  the  psalm  be  a  production  of  David, 
it  may  be  referred  to  the  time  of  the  rebellion  of  Absalom.  Others 
refer  it  to  the  persecution  of  David  by  Saul  and  his  courtiers. 

4.  —  With  our  tongues,  &c. :  i.  e.  By  uttering  calumnies  against 
the  rulers,  and  deceiving  the  people. 

6.  T^ie  words  of  the  Lord,  &c.  This  refers  to  the  promises  of 
Jehovah,  such  as  that  in  the  preceding  verse. 

8.    —  the  vilest  of  men  :  otherwise,  they  who  are  a  terror  to  men. 


Ps.  XIII. 

The  poet  complains  of  being  forgotten  by  Jehovah,  looks  to  him 
for  aid,  and  by  the  exercise  of  devotion  attains  to  peace  and  confi- 
dence. The  psalm  may  be  referred  to  the  time  of  David's  perse- 
cution by  Saul.     Some  of  the  Jewish  commentators  suppose  the 


NOTES.  289 

subject  of  the  psalm  to  be  the  whole  exiled  Jewish  people  per- 
sonified. 

3.  —  Enlighten  my  eyes.  When  a  person  is  in  a  faint  and  dying 
condition,  the  sight  seems  to  go  from  his  eyes.  Hence,  the  phrase 
Enlighten  my  eyes  means,  Restore  me  from  my  faint  and  languishing 
condition.  So  in  1  Sam.  xiv.  27,  "  He  put  forth  the  end  of  the  rod 
that  was  in  his  hand,  and  dipped  it  in  an  honeycomb,  and  put  his 
hand  to  his  mouth  ;  and  his  eyes  were  enUghtcjied.'^  Comp.  Ezra 
ix.  8,  Ps.  xix.  8. 

Ps.  XIV. 

In  this  psalm,  a  Hebrew  poet,  living  in  exile  with  his  country- 
men, wiio  experienced  harsh  treatment  from  their  enemies,  brings 
his  complaint  to  God  respecting  the  wickedness  of  men.  In  his 
melancholy  state  of  feeling,  all  appears  to  him  to  be  disorder  and 
corruption.  He  represents  God  himself  as  surveying  from  his 
heavenly  throne  the  sons  of  men  and  their  proceedings  on  the  earth, 
like  a  watchman  on  the  top  of  some  lofly  tower.  He  is  said  to 
search  diligently  to  find  a  man  of  true  wisdom  and  piety,  but  with- 
out success.  The  poet  expresses  the  confident  expectation  that 
these  evil-doers  will  meet  with  a  righteous  retribution,  and  sighs 
for  the  deliverance  of  his  countrymen  from  captivity. 

It  is  probable  that  verse  seventh  relates  to  the  captivity  at  Bab- 
ylon, rather  than  to  the  temporary  expulsion  of  David  and  his 
followers  by  Absalom.  Of  course  David  could  not  have  been  the 
author  of  it. 

This  psalm  we  find  repeated,  with  some  alterations,  in  Ps.  liii. 
The  book  of  Psalms  being  made  up  of  at  least  five  smaller  collec- 
tions, the  compiler  of  the  second  collection  inserted  in  it  Ps.  liii., 
either  from  inadvertence  or  on  account  of  the  variations  in  his  copy 
of  it. 

1.  The  fool :  i.  e.  unwise  in  a  moral  and  religious  point  of  view. 
The  ideas  of  impiety  and  folly  were  closely  associated  in  the  mind 
of  a  Hebrew. 

3.  —  wo,  not  one.  This  is  a  poetical,  hyperbolical  way  of  de- 
scribing general  depravity.  It  is  the  language  of  indignation,  in- 
spired by  the  oppression  of  the  Jewish  people  by  their  enemies. 
See  ver.  4. 

7.    —  out  of  Zion  :  i.  e.  from   God,  the  supreme  king  of  Israel, 
whose  earthly  dwelling-place  was  said  to  be  on  Mount  Zion. 
25 


290  NOTES. 


Ps.  XV. 


It  has  been  commonly  supposed  that  this  psalm  was  composed  by 
David  on  the  occasion  of  the  removal  of  the  ark  of  the  covenant 
to  Mount  Zion,  and  the  consecration  of  the  new  tabernacle,  as  re- 
corded in  2  Sam.  vi.  12,  &c.  But  it  is  also  appropriate  to  religious 
worship  on  any  occasion. 

1.  —  abide,  —  dwell.  These  terms  probably  have  reference  to 
the  circumstance,  that  a  Jewish  worshipper,  coming  from  a  distant 
part  of  Palestine,  would  tarry  some  time  in  Jerusalem,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  worship. 

3.   —  his  neighbour  :  i.  e.  any  one,  according  to  Hebrew  usage. 


Ps.  XVI. 

In  this  psalm,  David,  being  in  circumstances  of  danger,  looks  to 
God  for  help.  He  acknowledges  that  all  his  happiness  is  in  God, — 
expresses  his  feeling  of  dependence  upon  him,  his  hatred  of  idolatry, 
and  his  determination  not  to  adopt  any  heathenish  customs,  —  avows 
his  satisfaction  with  the  outward  condition  assigned  him,  his  confi- 
dence in  divine  aid  to  deliver  him  from  the  danger  of  death,  and 
his  hopes  of  iuture  protection  and  favor. 

Nothing  can  be  more  evident  than  that  David  is  the  subject  of 
the  psalm  throughout.  For  the  writer  uses  the  first  person  through- 
out, and  gives  no  notice  that  he  writes  in  the  name  of  any  other 
person.  But  on  account  of  the  use  which  is  made  of  the  psalm  by 
the  Apostles  Peter  and  Paul,  in  Acts  ii.  25  and  xiii.  34,  it  has  com- 
monly been  supposed  to  refer  in  the  literal  sense  to  David,  and  in 
the  mystical  or  typical  sense  to  Christ.  They  who  have  no  belief 
in  a  mystical  sense  of  Scripture  must  suppose  an  error  of  interpre- 
tation on  the  part  of  the  Apostles. 

2.   —  beyond  thee:  i.  e.  thou  art  the  only  source  of  my  happiness. 

4.  — drink-offerings  of  blood.  It  is  uncertain  whether  tiiis  ex- 
pression is  to  be  understood  literally  to  be  blood,  which  the  heathen 
actually  mixed  in  their  libations  when  they  bound  themselves  to  the 
commission  of  some  dreadful  deed,  or  whether  their  libations  are 
figuratively  called  offerings  of  blood  to  denote  the  horror  with  which 
the  writer  regarded  them.  —  take  their  names  :  i.  e.  of  worship- 
pers of  idols.     I  will  have  no  intercourse  with  them. 


NOTES.  291 

5.  — my  portion  and  my  cup.  An  image  drawn  from  a  festive 
entertainment.  The  meaning  is,  I  am  indebted  to  Jehovah  for  all 
that  I  have.     He  is  my  patron  and  benefactor. 

7.  —  admonisheth  me.  In  the  stillness  of  the  night,  the  season 
of  reflection  as  well  as  of  repose,  my  heart  admonishes  me  to  re- 
member and  praise  God. 

8.  —  /  shall  not  fall :  i.  e.  into  ruin ;  or,  I  shall  not  waver,  or 
lose  my  confidence. 

9.  —  my  hearty  —  my  spirit.^  —  my  flesh.  These  three  terms 
are  only  an  emphatic  way  of  denoting  the  whole  person.  Thus, 
Ps.  Ixxxiv.  2, — 

"My  soul  longeth,  yea,  fainteth,  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord  ; 

My  heart  and  ray  flesh  cry  aloud  for  the  living  God." 
So  in  Ixiii.  1,  — 

"  O  God,  thou  art  my  God  1  earnestly  do  I  seek  thee  ! 

My  soul  thirsteth,  my  flesh  longeth  for  thee." 

The  expression,  My  flesh  dwelleth  in  security,  therefore,  means,  I 
dwell  in  security.  The  Hebrew  expression,  rendered  dwell  in  se- 
curity, is  the  same  which  is  used  in  Deut.  xxxiii.  12,  translated  in 
the  common  version,  —  "  The  beloved  of  the  Lord  shall  dwell  in 
safety  by  him."  So  in  Judges  xviii.  7,  —  "  How  they  dwelt  care- 
less, after  the  manner  of  the  Zidonians."  In  Jer.  xxiii.  6,  and  xxxiii. 
16,  —  "  Israel  shall  dwell  safely."  See  also  Deut.  xxxiii.  28,  Judges 
viii.  11.  To  dwell  in  security,  then,  means  to  be  safe  from  calamity, 
or  to  be  fearless  of  calamity.  It  cannot  mean  to  hope  for  an  escape 
from  one  which  has  already  overtaken  a  person. 

10.  — give  me  up  to  the  underworld,  Sl'Xt^S,  to  Sheol,  not  m 
Sheol.  To  express  the  latter  meaning,  the  preposition  3  would 
have  been  used.  Comp.  in  the  original,  Ps.  xlix.  10,  Job  xxxix.  14. 
The  expression.  Thou  icilt  not  give  me  up,  or  leave  me,  to  the  under- 
world, means.  Thou  wilt  not  suflTer  me  to  be  brought  to  the  grave, 
or  to  a  premature  death,  by  the  enemies  which  threaten  me.  — thy 
holy  one.  The  received  text  of  the  Hebrew  reads,  thy  holy  ones. 
Many  critics  prefer  the  latter  reading,  as  the  more  difficult  one,  i.  e. 
the  least  likely  to  have  been  designedly  put  into  the  text  by  tran- 
scribers. On  account  of  the  parallelism  and  the  reading  of  the  an- 
cient versions,  I  prefer  the  singular,  thy  holy  one,  referring  to  the 
writer  of  the  psalm.  —  to  see  the  pit :  i.  e.  to  die.  That  this  is 
the  proper  translation  and  sense  of  the  phrase  is  obvious  from  the 
following  passages,  where  the  same  term,  nn*^,  is  used.  Ps.  xlix.  9, — 


292  NOTES. 

"  That  he  should  live  to  eternity, 
And  not  see  the  jjit.'' 

Ps.  vii.  15,  Job  xxxiii.  24,  28,  30,  Prov.  xxvi.  27,  Rzek.  xix.  4,  8. 
See  also  Gesen.  Lex.  on  tiie  word  nnt^.  There  can,  in  view  of 
Hebrew  usage  and  of  the  connection,  be  no  reasonable  doubt  that 
I  have  translated  the  verse  correctly,  and  that  the  meaning  is,  Thou 
wilt  not  suffer  me  to  come  to  a  premature  grave  by  the  hands  of 
my  enemies.  What  mystical  meaning  the  verse  may  have  is  left  to 
the  consideration  of  mystics. 

11.  — path  of  life,  &c.  :  i.  e.  Thou  wilt  show  me  the  means  of 
preserving  my  life,  or  of  obtaining  deliverance  and  happiness;  thou 
hast  in  thy  gift  fulness  of  joy  and  perpetual  pleasures. 

It  may  be  remarked,  that  the  most  distinguished  scholars,  such  as 
Hammond,  Grotius,  Le  Clerc,  Calvin,  and  others,  suppose  that 
David  is  the  subject  of  the  psalm  throughout.  So  the  authors  of 
the  common  version,  as  appears  from  its  caption  to  this  psalm.  It 
was  only  in  a  mystical  sense  that  they  applied  it  to  Christ.  For  a 
more  critical  examination  of  this  psalm,  see  Christian  Examiner  for 
July,  1834,  p.  347,  &c. 

Ps.  XVII. 

The  subject  of  this  psalm  is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  last.  A 
pious  man  in  circumstances  of  distress  looks  to  God  for  help,  and 
makes  solemn  protestations  of  his  innocence  to  the  Searcher  of 
hearts.  He  urges  his  requests  with  earnestness,  on  account  of  the 
general  wickedness  of  his  adversaries,  as  well  as  their  deadly  en- 
mity towards  himself.  He  sets  forth  the  prosperous  outward  con- 
dition of  his  enemies,  but  congratulates  himself  on  having  a  superior 
happiness  in  communion  with  God,  and  hopes  of  his  favor. 

1.  —  lips  without  deceit.  This  probably  refers  rather  to  the  gen- 
eral sincerity  of  his  language,  than  to  the  sincerity  of  this  particular 
prayer. 

2.  — my  sentence  :  i.  e.  of  acquittal,  my  justification.  — behold 
uprightness  :  i.  e.  have  regard  to  my  uprightness  in  relation  to  that 
with  which  I  am  charged  by  my  enemies. 

3.  —  in  the  night :  i.  e.  when  secret  plans  are  usually  adopted 
by  those  who  wish  to  escape  detection.  —  fnd  nothing :  i.  e. 
nothing  of  evil  ;  no  dross. 

5.    —  in  thy  paths  :  i.  e.  in  obedience  to  thy  precepts. 


NOTES.  293 

8.  — shadow  of  thy  wings  :  i.  e.  as  the  bird  gathers  her  brood 
under  her  wings.     Comp.  Matt,  xxiii.  37. 

10.  — their  hard  heart:  literally,  their  fat.  Fat,  according  to 
Hebrew  usage,  denotes  that  which  is  inert,  unfeeling. 

14.  —  men  of  the  world:  i.  e.  who  love  the  world,  in  distinction 
from  the  religious,  the  spiritually  minded.  —  llliose  portionisin 
life:  i.  e.  Whose  most  valued  good  is  in  life.  Whether  the  term 
in  life  is  spoken  of  in  contrast  with  the  life  after  death,  or  whether 
a  mere  worldly  life  is  spoken  of  in  contrast  with  a  life  of  religion 
and  communion  with  God,  is  doubtful.  If  the  doctrine  of  immor- 
tality is  alluded  to,  the  psalm  could  hardly  have  been  written  by 
David.  See  Ps.  vi.  5.  In  Ps.  xvi.  2,  occurs  the  sentiment,  "  I 
have  no  happiness  beyond  thee,"  and  in  xvi.  5,  "  Jehovah  is  my 
portion  and  my  cup."  Perhaps  it  is  most  probable  that  it  is  with 
such  a  portion  that  a  "portion  in  life  "  is  contrasted.  See  the  note 
on  Ps.  xlix.  15. 

15.  — shall  see  thy  face:  i.  e.  enjoy  thy  favor;  hold  intimate  com- 
munion with  thee.  — with  the  revival  of  thy  countenance:  liter- 
ally, with  the  awaking  of  thine  image.  The  word  nilDJ^,  imagey 
similitude,  or  manifestation,  is  used  in  Numb,  xii.  8,  where  it  is 
said,  "  And  the  similitude  of  the  Lord  shall  he  behold."  In  this 
verse  it  is  parallel  with  n\J3,  thy  face,  and  seems  to  be  synonymous 
with  it.  The  Septuagint,  Syriac,  Arabic,  Ethiopic,  and  Vulgate 
versions  construe  the  line  substantially  as  I  have  done.  So  Drs. 
Hammond  and  Geddes.  Otherwise,  /  shall  be  satisfied,  ichen  I 
aicake,with  thy  countenance.  But  this  is  not  a  natural  construction. 
If  it  be  admissible,  the  meaning  of  ichen  I  atcake  may  be,  when 
I  awake  in  the  morning,  after  the  composition  of  the  psalm,  or 
every  morning  ;  or,  when  I  awake  from  my  present  state  of  ad- 
versity ;  or,  when  I  awake  from  the  sleep  of  death. 

Ps.  XVIII. 

The  subject  and  design  of  this  psalm  are  sufficiently  evident  from 
its  inscription,  and  from  2  Sam.  xxii.  1,  &c.  It  was  probably  writ- 
ten by  David  near  the  close  of  his  reign,  in  view  of  the  experience 
of  his  whole  life. 

2.  —  my  strong  defence :  literally,  my  horn  of  defence,  or  safety. 
The  horn  is  often  used  by  the  Hebrews  as  a  symbol  of  strength  or 
power,  the  image  being  drawn  from  animals  which  us",  their  horns 
for  defence  or  assault. 

25* 


^94  NOTES. 

4.  — snares  of  deaths — floods  of  destruction.  We  are  not  to 
suppose  that  death  was  conceived  of  as  a  mighty  hunter,  or  of"  the 
floods  of  destruction  "  as  corresponding  to  the  Acheron  of  the 
Greek  poets.  These  conceptions  cannot  be  shown  to  have  pre- 
vailed among  the  Hebrews.  Snares  and  floods  are  often  used  as 
images  of  danger  and  overwhelming  calamity. 

6.  —  Ms  palace  :  i.  e.  from  heaven.     See  xi.  4. 

7.  &c.  This  magnificent  theophany  is  to  be  regarded  as  a  poetic 
fiction  in  the  Oriental  hyperbolic  style.  It  is  doubtful  whether,  in 
the  description  from  verse  seventh  to  the  fifteenth,  any  thing  of  an 
historical  nature  is  intimated,  except  that  God  gave  remarkable  suc- 
cess to  the  means  which  David  employed  for  his  deliverance.  It 
is  possible  that  the  idea  is  conveyed,  that  God  helped  David  in  bat- 
tle by  means  of  a  thunder-storm.  But  it  is  more  probable  that  the 
storm  is  introduced  only  to  heighten  the  grandeur  and  impressive- 
ness  of  the  theophany.      Comp.  Ps.  cxliv.  5,  6,  Habak.  iii.  4,  5,  6. 

8.  Jl  smoke  went  up^  &c.  An  image  of  anger,  borrowed  from  the 
circumstance,  that  animals,  when  enraged,  breathe  iiard,  so  that,  in 
cold  weather,  their  breath  ascends  like  smoke.  Comp.  Job  iv.  9. 
—  Burning  coals  :  i.  e.  lightning. 

9.  —  hoiocd  the  heavens^  «fec.  In  a  storm  the  sky  seems  to  come 
down  lower.      The  thick  and  dark  clouds  are  in  fact  near  us. 

10.  —  rode  upon  a  cherub.  Jehovah  is  elsewhere  represented  as 
on  a  throne  borne  upon  cherubs,  i.  e.  beings  of  a  celestial  nature, 
Jiavitig  a  form  composed  of  the  figures  of  a  man,  an  ox,  a  lion,  and 
an  eagle,  symbols  of  strength  and  wisdom.  In  this  passage,  how- 
ever, the  cherubs  seem  to  be  a  personification  of  the  thunder-clouds 
and  the  wind. 

15.  —  foundations  of  the  earth.  The  expression  seems  to  be 
equivalent  to  the  channels  of  the  deep^  i.  e.  the  bottom  of  the  sea, 
in  the  parallel  line. 

19.  —  a  large  2>loce  :  i.  e.  freedom  from  the  danger  and  distress, 
the  opposite  of  straits. 

26.  —  thou  showest  thyself  perverse.  See  the  note  on  Prov. 
iii.  34. 

28.    —  my  lamp  to  shine.     See  the  notes  on  Job  xviii.  6,  xxix.  3. 

30.  —  His  icord  is  pure^  &c.  :  i.  e.  His  promise,  when  tried, 
will  stand  the  test. 

33.  —  like  the  hind's:  i.  e.  in  swiftness.  Swiftness  of  foot  was 
a  great  qualification  of  an  ancient  warrior.     Comp.  1  Chron.  xii.  8, 


NOTES.  295 

2  Sam.  i.  23.     So  an  epithet  of  Achilles  in  Homer  is  noSag  wy.vg^ 
the  swift-footed. 

34.  —  bow  of  brass.  It  is  probable  that  the  bow  was  actually  of 
brass,  or  bronze,  i.  e.  of  copper  tempered  with  another  metal,  which 
came  into  use  before  iron  or  steel.  See  Hesiod,  ^'Enyai  xai  'Hfii^aiy 
V.  149,  «&c. ;  Lucret.  De  Rer.  Nat.,  Lib.  V.,  v.  1282 ;  Herod.,  I.  25. 


Ps.  XIX. 

2.  Day  uttereth  instruction^  &c.  :  i.  e.  Every  day  hands  down  to 
the  following  day,  and  every  night  to  the  following  night,  the 
knowledge  of  God's  glory. 

3.  They  have  no  speech^  &c. :  i.  e.  Their  speech  is  not  that  of  the 
human  voice ;  they  utter  no  articulate  sounds.  Their  language  is  a 
silent,  but  real,  language.  Mr.  Addison  has  adopted  this  meaning  in 
his  versification  of  the  psalm  :  — 

"  What  though  in  solemn  silence  all 
Move  round  this  dark  terrestrial  ball  ? 
What  though  no  real  voice  nor  sound 
Amid  their  radiant  orbs  be  found  .^ 
In  reason's  ear,  they  all  rejoice. 
And  utter  forth  a  glorious  voice ; 
For  ever  singing,  as  they  shine, 
'The  hand  that  made  us  is  divine.'  " 

There  is  another  mode  of  rendering,  which  seems  to  be  that  of  the 
Sepluagint  and  Vulgate,  and  which  is  admissible  :  — 

"  It  is  no  speech  nor  language, 
Of  which  the  voice  is  not  heard  ; 
Their  sound  goeth  forth  to  all  the  earth, 
And  their  words  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

4.  In  them,  referring  to  the  heavens,  may  allude  to  that  part 
of  them  near  the  horizon,  where  the  sun  was  supposed  to  have 
his  tabernacle  or  pavilion,  into  which  he  retired  after  his  journey 
through  the  heavens  in  the  day,  and  from  which  he  came  forth 
fresh  and  vigorous  in  the  morning. 

5.  —  like  a  bridegroom.  The  allusion  is  to  the  joyous,  youthful 
freshness  of  the  bridegroom.  Some,  however,  suppose  it  to  be  to 
the  freshness  of  his  dress.     —  a  strong  man  :  or  hero.     It  is  to  be 


296  NOTES. 

recollected  that  swiftness  of  foot  was  one  of  the  greatest  recommen- 
dations of  a  hero  of  antiquity.     See  the  note  on  xviii.  33. 

7.  —  reviving  the  soul :  literally,  bringing  back  the  soul  or  spirit 
when  it  is  drooping,  and,  as  it  were,  leaving  the  body.  See  Lam 
i.  16,  Ruth  iv.  15. 

8.  —  are  pure:  i.  e.  free  from  error  and  imperfection.  —  en 
lightening  the  eyes.  This  expression  is  nearly  equivalent  to  re 
joicing  the  hearty  in  the  parallel  line.     See  the  note  on  xiii.  3. 

12.  Who  knoweth^  &c.  :  i.  e.  Who  can  estimate  the  number  and 
magnitude  of  his  own  sins  ?  —  secret  faults :  i.  e.  those  of  whicl 
I  am  unconscious  ;  those  which  escape  the  detection  of  conscience 
blinded,  as  it  often  is,  by  error,  passion,  and  sin. 

13.  — presumptuous  sins:  i.  e.  those  committed  knowingly 
deliberately,  and  with  a  high  hand.  As  the  word  sins  is  supplied 
some  translate /yoTTi  the  presumptuous j  i.  e.  the  proud. 


Ps.  XX. 

6.  Ifow  I  know,  &c.  This  is  evidently  sung  by  a  different  choir 
from  that  which  sung  ver.  1-5,  and  ver.  9.  Some  suppose  that 
David  himself  is  the  speaker;  others,  another  choir  representing 
another  portion  of  the  people. 

Ps.  XXI. 

This  is  a  psalm  of  thanksgiving,  which  some  suppose  to  be  on  ac- 
count of  the  victory  prayed  for  in  the  preceding  psalm.  Others  think 
it  may  have  been  written  after  the  victory  over  the  united  hosts  of  the 
Syrians  and  Ammonites.  See  2  Sam.  ch.  xii.  The  psalm  evidently 
appears,  from  ver.  1  -  6,  to  relate  to  a  king  then  living,  and  the  opin- 
ion that  it  relates  to  the  Messiah  is  without  the  slightest  foundation. 

4.  —  enduring  for  ever.  A  hyperbolical  expression  for  very 
long.     Comp.  ver.  6,  Dan.  ii.  4,  iii.  9,  2  Sam.  vii.  13. 

8.    Here  the  king  is  addressed  by  another  choir. 


Ps.  XXII. 

In  this  psalm,  a  pious  Israelite  makes  his  supplication  to  God  in 
the  midst  of  great  distress,  on  the  borders  of  despair.     God  had 


NOTES.  297 

heard  his  ancestors  when  they  cried  for  help,  but  himself  he  allowed 
to  be  reduced  to  the  utmost  contempt  on  account  of  his  religion, 
1-9.  Yet  he  retains  his  confidence  in  God,  and  prays  for  help, 
enumerating  the  dangerous  and  fierce  enemies  which  encompassed 
him,  12-18,  repeating  his  supplications,  19-21.  And  now,  as  in 
several  of  the  psalms  which  begin  with  lamentation,  the  poet  rises 
to  the  confidence  that  he  and  his  companions  in  religious  fidelity, 
though  at  present  afflicted  and  depressed,  will  one  day  greatly  pros- 
per, and  that  the  true  religion  will  have  an  extensive  triumph. 

The  psalm  is  ascribed  to  David,  and  if  this  ascription  be  correct, 
the  occasion  of  its  composition  was  probably  the  same  with  that  of  Ps. 
v.,  vi.,  xii.,  and  similar  psalms.  But  the  psalm  is  not  very  descriptive 
of  any  circumstances  in  the  life  of  David  which  are  recorded  in  the 
Jewish  history.  It  may  be  said,  however,  that  the  Jewish  history 
is  very  brief,  and  that  many  seasons  of  distress  may  have  occurred 
to  David  which  have  not  been  recorded. 

One  reason  for  doubting  whether  the  psalm  relates  to  the  circum- 
stances of  David  is,  that  the  persecutions  which  the  writer  suffers 
seem  to  have  been  occasioned  by  his  religion,  and  that,  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  psalm,  the  relief  which  the  writer  and  his  brothers  in 
affliction  are  to  experience  is  connected  with  the  flourishing  state 
of  the  true  religion.  But  the  difficulties  of  David  WMth  Saul  and 
with  liis  son  Absalom  do  not  appear  to  have  arisen  from  his  re- 
ligion. It  is  not  improbable,  therefore,  that  the  psalm  was  written 
by  some  Jewish  prophet,  who  with  his  followers  was  exposed  to 
contempt  on  account  of  his  adherence  to  Jehovah  and  his  religion, 
in  the  midst  of  idolatry  and  vice.  In  the  case  of  Jeremiah,  i. 
17-19,  ix.  1-6,  xi.  18-23,  xv.  15-21,  we  have  an  instance  of  a 
prophet  in  very  similar  circumstances  to  those  described  in  this 
psalm,  and  using  similar  language. 

The  psalm  has  been  supposed  by  many  interpreters  to  refer  to 
the  sufferings  of  Jesus  and  liis  subsequent  exaltation.  A  decisive 
objection  to  this  opinion  is,  that  the  writer  is  introduced  praying  in 
the  first  person,  and  describing  his  past  and  present  condition.  If 
the  writer  had  intended  his  language  to  refer  to  a  person  who  was 
to  live  many  hundred  years  after  the  composition  of  the  psalm,  he 
was  bound  to  inform  us  of  it  in  some  way.  In  the  absence  of 
such  information,  we  are  bound  to  believe  that  the  writer  of  the 
psalm  is  the  subject  of  it.  Besides,  it  appears  to  me  that  the  spirit 
of  the  psalm  bears  no  great  resemblance  to  the  spirit  of  Jesus. 
There  is  no  spirit  of  martyrdom  in  it.     He  speaks  of  impending 


298  NOTES. 

death  in  a  very  different  manner  from  that  in  which  Jesus  spake  of 
his.  As  to  the  expressions,  "  They  have  pierced  my  hands  and  my 
feet,"  and  "  They  divide  my  garments  among  them,  and  for  my  ves- 
ture they  cast  lots,"  these  are  evidently  statements  of  matters  of  fact, 
of  what  had  happened  to  the  writer  of  the  psalm,  and  not  predic- 
tions of  the  future.  There  is  nothing  in  the  New  Testament  appli- 
cation of  them  inconsistent  with  this  view.  As  to  the  typical  or 
mystical  sense  which  has  been  assigned  to  this  and  other  psalms,  it 
seems  to  be  beyond  the  province  of  the  interpreter.  There  are  no 
human  means  by  which  to  ascertain  it.  None  but  the  divine  spirit 
can  be  sure  what  it  is.  As  has  been  well  observed  by  Ernesti,  in 
his  Principles  of  Biblical  Interpretation,* — "Nor,  in  searching  for 
this  typical  sense,  is  there  need  of  the  care  and  talents  of  an  inter- 
preter. For  it  is  revealed  by  the  information  and  testimony  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  beyond  whose  showing  we  should  not  in  this  matter 
attempt  to  advance." 

The  hind  of  the  morning.  This  was  probably  the  name  of  some 
other  poem  or  song,  to  the  measure  of  which  this  psalm  was  sung 
or  chanted.  Compare  the  expression,  the  song  of  "  the  bow,"  in 
2  Sam.  i.  18.  The  phrase  probably  denotes  the  morning  sun  scat- 
tering his  first  rays  upon  the  earth  ;  as  the  Arabian  poets  call  the 
rising  sun  the  gazelle,  comparing  his  rays  with  the  horns  of  that 
animal.  Quotations  to  this  effect  may  be  seen  in  Rosenmuller 
ad  loc. 

1.  — forsaken  me.  The  meaning  is  explained  by  the  parallel 
line,  Why  so  far  from  mine  aid,  &c.,  and  by  Ps.  x.  1.  It  is 
equivalent  to  the  question.  Why  am  I  left  without  any  visible 
means  of  escaping  with  my  life  ? 

2.  —  have  no  rest :  i.  e.  from  my  fears,  anxieties,  and  persecu- 
tions. 

3.  —  art  holy :  i.  e.  not  approving  the  wickedness  of  my  ene- 
mies. Comp.  Jer.  xii.  1.  Otherwise,  £nd  yet  thou  art  the  Holy 
One,  i.  e.  the  peculiar  God  of  the  Jewish  nation. 

6.    —  a  worm :  i.  e.  weak,  despised,  trampled  on,  as  a  worm, 
12.    —  bulls,  —  bulls   of  Bashan,    &c.      These    are   images   of 

mighty  and  fierce  enemies. 

14.    — poured  out  like  water.    To  melt,  or  be  dissolved,  was  an 

image  of  fear  and  consternation  with  the  Hebrews.     Comp.  Josh. 

vii.  5. 


*  Vol.  I.,  p.  25,  Engl,  translation. 


NOTES.  299 

15.  My  strength^  &c.  Sadness  and  sorrow  have  quite  dried 
up  my  vital  moisture  ;  I  have  scarce  strength*  enough  left  to  com- 
plain, but  am  just  on  the  point  to  expire,  and  to  be  laid  in  my 
grave. 

16.  —  dogs:    i.  e.  my    enemies,   greedy   and    fierce    as    dogs. 

—  pierced  my  hands  and  my  feet.  I  am  now  satisfied  that  the  ren- 
dering, bound,  which  in  the  former  edition  I  adopted  from  De  Wette 
and  Evvald,  is  not  supported  by  the  Arabic  word  to  which  they 
refer.  But  whether  the  term  "•"IND  should  be  rendered,  with  the 
Vulgate,  Like  a  lion  my  hands  and  my  feet,  as  Gesenius  de- 
cides, or  They  have  pierced,  <Scc.,  with  the  majority  of  interpret- 
ers, admits  of  considerable  doubt.  That  the  enemies  should  sur- 
round his  hands  and  his  feet,  like  a  lion,  is  not  a  very  natural 
expression.  It  seems  more  natural  to  me  to  suppose  that  his  ene- 
mies are  represented  as  piercing  his  hands  and  feet  with  their  ar- 
rows, or  other  weapons,  so  that  he  becomes  entirely  helpless. 
Besides,  the  comparison  of  the  lion  occurs  only  a  few  verses  before. 
On  the  whole,  as  the  rendering,  they  have  pierced,  is  deducible  from 
the  word,  whether  we  retain  the  present  reading,  or  adopt  the  va- 
rious one  nxD,  I  have  concluded  to  adopt  it,  though  it  may  be,  in 
a  measure,  liable  to  a  similar  objection  to  that  urged  against  the 
translation  of  the  Vulgate  and  of  Gesenius. 

17.  —  my  bones :  i.  e.  on  account  of  my  emaciation. 

IS.  They  divide  my  garments,  &c.  The  sense  may  be.  My  ene- 
mies are  so  sure  of  my  death,  that  they  proceed  to  divide  my  gar- 
ments, as  if  I  were  dead  ;  or.  My  enemies  look  on  me  as  their  prey, 
and  divide  my  possessions,  even  my  garments,  among  themselves. 

20.  —  the  sword  :  i.  e.  the  danger  of  death.  —  My  blood  :  lit- 
erally, My  darling;  a  poetic  name,  to  denote  the  life. 

22.    —  my  brethren  :  i.  e.  in  country  and  religion. 

26.  The  afflicted  shall  eat,  &c. :  i.  e.  The  oppressed  countrymen 
of  the  poet,  who  had  shared  his  dangers  and  suiferings,  shall  par- 
take of  the  festal  sacrifices,  and  share  his  joy  and  gladness. 

27.  —  the  ends  of  the  earth  :  i.  e.  the  inhabitants  of  the  most  dis- 
tant lands. 

29.  —  the  rich,  &c.  These,  with  the  poor  in  the  next  line,  are 
mentioned  as  composing  the  whole  of  mankind.     Comp.  Ps.  xlix.  2. 

—  eat  and  worship  :  i.  e.  keep  the  festivals  and  worship.  —  going 
down  to  the  dust:  i.  e.  ready  to  sink  into  the  grave  on  account  of 
extreme  want  and  misery. 

31.  —  his  righteousness :  i.  e.  in  granting  protection  and  deliv- 
erance to  the  writer  of  the  psalm.     See  ver.  24. 


300  NOTES. 


Ps.  XXIII. 


This  psalm,  which  needs  no  analysis,  was  not  probably  written 
during  the  royal  poet's  pastoral  life,  but  after  he  had  become  ac- 
quainted with  adversity,  and  had  been  surrounded  by  enemies, 
whom,  however,  he  had  probably  subdued.     See  ver.  5. 

3.  —  reviveth  my  spirit :  i.  e.  refreshes  me  when  drooping  and 
fainting  with  fatigue,  distress,  &c.  —  in  the  right  paths ^  &c.  The 
allusion  is  still  kept  up  to  the  sheep  or  flock,  who  are  led,  not  over 
mountains,  or  through  bushes  and  stony  places,  but  in  the  plain  and 
beaten  paths. 

4.  —  darkest  valley^  &c.  The  allusion  is  still  to  the  flock,  and 
the  meaning  is,  that,  if,  like  the  flock,  the  poet  should  stray  into 
some  gloomy  valley  as  dark  as  death,  he  should  fear  no  evil,  being 
under  the  care  of  the  Heavenly  Shepherd. 

5.  Here  the  image  is  changed.  The  blessings  received  by  the 
poet  are  so  great  as  to  be  compared  to  a  feast.  —  anointest^  &c. 
To  the  abundance  and  luxury  of  a  feast  it  belongs,  according  to  the 
customs  of  the  East  in  ancient  and  modern  times,  to  pour  fragrant 
oil  on  the  guests.     Comp.  Matt.  xxvi.  7,  Amos  vi.  6. 

6.  —  /  shall  dioell^  &c.  :  i.  e.  Released  from  the  dangers  and 
toils  of  war,  I  shall  have  abundant  opportunity  to  worship  thee  in 
the  sanctuary. 


Ps.  XXIV. 

In  this  psalm,  it  is  set  forth  that  Jehovah,  the  maker  of  heaven 
and  earth,  has  yet  a  chosen  dwelling-place  upon  the  earth,  where 
he  is  to  be  worshipped  by  the  pure  and  righteous.  This  glorious 
heavenly  king  of  the  Jewish  nation  is  represented  as  entering  the 
sanctuary,  which  is  personified  and  exhorted  to  receive  him  wor- 
thily. 

It  is  commonly  supposed  that  the  occasion  of  it  was  the  transfer 
of  the  ark  of  the  covenant  to  the  tabernacle  on  Mount  Zion,  as  re- 
lated in  2  Sam.  vi.  1,  &c.  But  it  seems  more  probable  to  me,  that 
the  psalm  was  written  after  the  time  of  David,  and  that  the  gates 
which  are  so  strikingly  personified  in  the  seventh  verse  are  the  gates 
of  the  temple.  In  this  case,  we  may  suppose  the  psalm  to  have  been 
sung  at  the  consecration  of  the  temple,  and  the  removal  of  the  ark 


NOTES.  301 

to  it.     There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  is  one  of  the  psalms  which 
were  sung  responsively  by  several  choirs  of  singers. 

5.  — And  favor.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  npTi*  is  often  used 
in  the  sense  of  favor  or  kindness.  See  Gesenius,  ad  verb.  This 
rendering  is  also  supported  by  the  Septuagint  and  Vulgate,  and  the 
parallelism. 

6.  —  O  God  of  Jacoh.  This  reading  and  rendering  are  sup- 
ported by  the  Septuagint,  Vulgate,  Arabic,  and  some  manuscripts. 
Others,  without  altering  the  reading,  translate,  Theij  that  seek  thxj 
face  are  Jacoh^  i.  e.  the  true  Jacob,  or  Israel  of  God. 

7.  Lift  up  your  heads,  &c.  Here,  by  a  highly  poetical  concep- 
tion, the  gates  even  of  the  splendid  temple  of  Solomon  are  repre- 
sented as  being  too  low  for  the  entrance  of  the  symbol  of  the  King 
of  kings.  They  are  commanded  to  elevate  and  expand  themselves 
for  his  admission,  or  to  assume  an  attitude  suited  to  the  grandeur  of 
the  occasion. 

Ps.  XXV. 

This  is  the  first  of  the  alphabetic  psalms,  each  verse  beginning 
with  a  letter  in  the  order  of  the  Hebrew  alphabet.     See  p.  47,  &c. 

4.  —  thij  %oays  :  i.  e.  those  which  are  acceptable  to  thee. 

5.  —  thy  truth  :  i.  e.  the  true  righteousness  or  piety  which  thou 
requires!. 

7.  —  of  my  youth:  i.  e.  when,  through  want  of  knowledge  and 
consideration,  or  strength  of  appetite  and  passion,  one  is  most  prone 
to  go  astray. 

10.  —  his  covenant:  i.  e.  his  laws,  to  the  observers  of  which  he 
has  covenanted  peculiar  protection  and  favor. 

11.  — thy  name's  sake :  i.e.  in  order  to  manifest  thy^oodness 
and  mercy,  as  in  ver.  7. 

Ps.  XXVI. 

3.    —  before  my  eyes  :  i.  e.  in  my  thoughts  continually, 

6.  —  icash  my  hands  in  innocence :  not  "  I  perform  the  ceremo- 
ny of  washing  my  hands  in  testimony  of  my  innocence,"  but  "  I 
keep  myself  innocent."  Comp.  Ixxiii.  13.  —  go  around  thine 
altar  :  i.  e.  bring  offerings,  and  frequently  appear  around  thine  altar 
for  the  purpose  of  thanksgiving. 

8.  —  thine  honor  dwelleth.     This  may  mean,  "  where  thy  glori- 

26 


302  NOTES. 

ous  presence   is  found";  or,  "  where   thy  wisdom,  goodness,  and 
mercy  are  manifested  in  hearing  prayer,  accepting  worship,"  &c, 

Ps.  XXVII. 

4.  —  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  The  phrase  seems  here  to  denote 
the  sacrifices,  incense,  and  other  objects  in  the  temple. 

5,  —  in.  his  pavilion,  —  secret  place  of  his  tabernacle.  These 
are  metaphorical  expressions,  denoting  simply  the  sure  protection 
and  safety  which  would  be  afforded  by  God. 

10.  —  rmj  father,  &c.  Figurative  expressions  to  denote  extreme 
desertion.  —  take  me  up  :  i.  e.  under  his  protection,  and  be  my 
patron. 

Ps.  XXVIII. 

2.  —  most  holy  sanctuary  :  namely,  that  part  of  the  tabernacle 
or  temple  called  the  holy  of  holies. 

5.  —  doings  of  the  Lord  :  i.  e.  in  his  moral  government  of  the 
world,  such  as  the  punishments  which  he  often  inflicts  on  evil- 
doers. 

Ps.  XXIX. 

1.  —  sons  of  God:  angels  or  the  inhabitants  of  heaven  seem  to 
be  denoted.     See  Ps.  Ixxxix.  6. 

2.  —  holy  attire :  in  allusion  to  the  garments  worn  by  priests. 
See  Exod.  xxxix.  1. 

3.  The  voice  of  Jehovah:  i.  e.  the  thunder.  A  personification. 
—  the  gxeat  waters  :  i.e.  the  waters  above  the  firmament.  Comp. 
ver,  10,  civ.  3,  Gen.  i.  7. 

6.  —  Sirion :  another  name  of  Hermon.     Deut.  iii.  9. 

9,  —  the  hinds,  &c.  :  i.  e.  through  terror.  Comp.  1  Sam.  iv. 
19.     —  in  his  palace:  i.  e.  in  heaven. 

Ps.  XXX. 

7.  —  made  my  mountain  strong.  This  may  be  a  metaphorical 
expression,  meaning,  thou  hast  placed  me  in  safety.  Comp.  xxvii. 
5.  Or,  less  probably,  my  mountain  may  mean  my  power,  my 
greatness. 


NOTES.  303 

9.    —  dust :  i.  e.  my  body,  turned  to  dust. 

11.  —  sackcloth:  the  garment  of  mourning.  Comp.  2  Sam.  iii. 
31,  1  Kings  XX.  32. 

Ps.  XXXI. 

The  occasion  of  this  psalm  seems  to  be  altogether  uncertain. 
*'  It  is  a  mixture  of  prayers,  and  praises,  and  professions  of  confi- 
dence in  God,  all  which  do  well  together  and  are  helpful  to  one 
another.  Faith  and  prayer  must  go  together.  He  that  believes, 
let  him  pray ;  and  he  that  prays,  let  him  believe  ;  for  the  prayer  of 
faith  is  the  prevailing  prayer." 

6.    —  lying  vanities  :  i.  e.  idols.    Deut.  xxxii.  21,  Jer.  ii.  5,  x.  15. 

12.  —  like  a  broken  vessel  :  i.  e.  neglected  and  despised,  as 
worthless. 

15.  —  destiny  :  literally,  times :  i.  e.  what  takes  place  in  times  ; 
namely,  events,  fortunes,  destinies.  So  we  speak  of  good  times, 
bad  times,  &c. 

20.  —  secret  place,  &c.     See  the  note  on  xxvii.  5. 

21.  —  As  in  a  fortified  city  ;  i.  e.  I  have  been  protected  by  him 
as  effectually  as  I  could  have  been  by  a  fortified  city. 


Ps.  XXXII. 

2.  —  no  guile :  i.  e.  He  does  not  dissemble  with  God  in  his 
acknowledgment  of  sin  and  profession  of  penitence. 

3.  —  kejjt  silence  :  i.  e.  did  not  acknowledge  my  sins  to  God. 
—  my  bones.    Comp.  Prov.  xvii.  22. 

4.  —  My  moisture:  i.  e.  vital  moisture,  life-blood. 

6.  — floods  of  great  waters.  An  image  denoting  overwhelming 
calamities. 

9.  —  Because  they  will  not  come  near  thee.  The  meaning  is.  Be 
ye  not  distrustful  of  God,  and  unwilling  to  approach  him  in  confi- 
dence and  obedience,  like  the  horse  and  the  mule,  who  will  not 
come,  near  the  owner  to  observe  his  directions,  unless  they  are 
forced  by  the  bridle  and  curb. 

Ps.  XXXIII. 
2.    —  /ta?7>,  —  psaltery.     Both  these  instruments  seem  to  have 


304  NOTES. 

been  harps  of  different  species.     It  is  not  known  in  what  respects 
they  differed. 

17.    The  horse,  &c.     Comp.  Prov.  xxi.  31. 


Ps.  XXXIV. 

This  is  the  second  alphabetical  psalm.  See  page  47,  &c.  The 
Hebrew  inscription  assigns  an  occasion  for  the  composition  of  the 
psalm.  But  it  is  not  very  consistent  with  this  inscription,  that  the 
psalm  should  contain  no  definite  allusions  to  the  circumstances  of 
David,  and  that  it  should  contain  so  much  of  a  merely  didactic  na- 
ture, drawn  from  the  general  experience  of  human  life.  It  is  also 
doubtful  whether  any  of  the  alphabetical  psalms  belong  to  so  early 
a  period  as  that  of  David. 

5.  — shall  have  light :  i.e.  your  countenances  shall  be  bright- 
ened with  joy.  See  the  note  on  xiii.  3.  —  be  ashamed :  i.  e. 
through  disappointment,  failure  of  your  expectations. 

6.  This  afflicted  man.  The  poet  points  to  himself,  as  an  instance 
of  one  delivered  from  trouble. 

7.  —  angels  of  the  Lord.  Comp.  Gen.  xxxii.  1,  2,  2  Kings  vi.  17. 
10.     Young  lions.     It  is  doubtful  whether  this  is  to  be  understood 

in  a  literal  or  a  figurative  sense.  According  to  the  former,  the 
meaning  will  be,  that  even  young  lions,  with  all  their  strength,  can- 
not always  procure  food  for  themselves  ;  according  to  the  latter, 
young  lions  will  mean  powerful  and  rapacious  men,  who  are  often 
reduced  to  want.  Perhaps  the  last  is  preferable.  Comp.  xxxv.  17, 
Iviii.  6,  Jer.  ii,  15. 

20.  —  all  his  bones :  an  emphatic  expression  to  denote  the  whole 
man.      Comp.  xxxv.  10. 

21.  —  destroyeth  :  because  he  has  none  to  deliver  him,  like  the 
righteous. 

Ps.  XXXV. 

One  opinion  in  regard  to  the  occasion  of  this  psalm  is  mentioned 
in  the  text.  Another  is,  that  it  relates  to  the  enemies  of  David 
who  sided  with  Absalom.  Perhaps  the  most  probable  supposition 
is,  that  the  occasion  of  the  psalm  is  unknown. 

5.  —  Maij  the  angel  of  the  Lord  drive  them  :  i.  e.  so  that  they 
shall  stumble  and  fall.     Probably  the  writer  conceived  of  the  angel 


NOTES.  305 

as  a  person  employing  the  elements,  or  human  means,  to  inflict 
punishment  on  his  enemies.  In  verse  sixth  the  translation  should 
have  been  angel  of  the  Lord^  as  in  this  verse. 

13.  —  turned  to  my  bosom  :  i.  e.  I  prayed  with  my  head  bent 
towards  my  bosom.  This  was  a  posture  in  prayer  said  to  be  com- 
mon among  the  Orientals.  Comp.  1  Kings  xviii.  42.  In  Lane's 
Modern  Egyptians,  Vol.  I.,  p.  109,  a  Mahometan  posture  in  prayer 
somewhat  similar  is  represented. 

19.  —  wink  with  the  eye.  The  parallelism  seems  to  show  that 
this  was  a  token  of  triumph. 

20.  —  not  peace:  i.  e.  what  is  injurious  and  destructive. 

21.  —  seeth  it :  i.  e.  what  we  have  long  wished  for  concerning 
our  enemy. 

22.  —  he  not  silent :  i.  e.  do  not  refuse  to  answer  my  prayer. 


Ps.  XXXVI. 

It  seems  to  me  to  be  idle  to  think  of  finding  in  the  history  of 
David  an  occasion  for  a  psalm  having  so  general  a  subject  as  this. 

1.  To  speak,  &c.  The  translation  of  this  difficult  passage  which 
I  have  adopted  is  substantially  that  of  Luther,  Le  Clerc,  Gesenius, 
and  De  Wette.  Somewhat  similar  commencements  of  poetical 
compositions  may  be  seen  in  xlv.  1,  ci.  1,  Is.  xlv.  1. 

2.  —  in  his  oicn  eyes :  i.  e.  the  wicked  flatters  and  beguiles  his 
own  conscience. 

6.  —  a  great  deep.  This  expression  seems  here  to  refer  to  the 
extent  and  all-pervading  character  of  the  divine  judgments,  rather 
than  to  their  unsearchableness  or  mysteriousness. 

8.  —  abundance  of  thy  house.  The  world  full  of  the  riches  of 
God's  bounty  seems  here  to  be  figuratively  represented  as  a  father's 
house  filled  with  wealth. 

9.  —  of  life  :  i.  e.  of  happiness.  —  Through  thy  light,  &c.  : 
i,  e.  Through  thy  favor  we  enjoy  happiness  or  prosperity.  Comp. 
iv.  6,  Esth.  viii.  16,  Is.  lix.  9. 

11.  —  remove  me  :  i.  e.  compel  me  to  wander  from  my  house, 
city,  country,  &c. 

Ps.  XXXVII. 

This  is  the  third  of  the  alphabetical  psalms.     See  pp.  47,  48. 
26* 


306  NOTES. 

3.  — Abide  in  the  land  ^  &c.  :  i.e.  Do  not  forsake  the  land  in 
despair,  on  account  of  the  oppression  which  you  are  obliged  to  en- 
dure.    Con)p.  X.  18. 

9.  —  inherit  the  land.  Tiiis  expression  seems  here,  and  in  verse 
11,  to  denote  a  quiet,  undisturbed  possession  of  the  country,  unmo- 
lested by  oppressors.  In  other  passages  it  may  have  a  figurative 
sense. 

13.  —  his  day :  i.  e.  of  punishment.  Comp.  verse  36,  Job 
xviii.  20. 

18.  —  their  inheritance  shall  endure  for  ever  :  i.  e.  in  the  land 
of  Canaan,  as  in  ver.  11,  27,  29.  They  shall  never  be  driven  from 
the  land.  If  the  phrase  be  used  in  a  figurative  sense,  it  is  plain, 
from  the  connection,  that  it  must  denote  temporal  blessings. 

21.  The  wicked  borroiceth,  &c.  It  is  probable,  from  the  connec- 
tion, that  the  meaning  of  this  verse  is,  that  the  wicked  is  continually 
borrowing,  without  having  the  means  to  repay,  while  the  righteous 
has  the  ability  to  be  generous.      Comp.  Deut.  xxviii.  12. 

37,  38.  Comp.  Prov.  xxiii.  18,  xxiv.  14,  20,  v.  4,  Job  xlii.  12. 
Otherwise,  For  the  posterity  of  that  man  shall  be  peace,  i.  e.  pros- 
perous. —  The  wicked  shall  be  rooted  out  at  the  last :  otherwise, 
The  posterity  of  the  wicked  shall  be  rooted  out. 

Ps.  XXXVIII.       " 

The  opinion  of  some  commentators,  that  this  and  other  psalms 
represent  the  condition  of  the  whole  Jewish  nation,  under  the  im- 
age of  a  single  man  in  distress,  seems  to  me  to  carry  very  little 
probability  with  it. 

3.  —  no  soundness  in  imj  fiesh.  A  condition  of  distress  is  proba- 
bly represented  figuratively  by  disease. 

4.  — gone  over  my  head,  &c.  :  i.  e.  The  consequences  of  my 
sins  have  overwhelmed  me  like  a  flood  of  waters. 

14.  —  is  no  reply  :  i.  e.  who  is  able  to  give  no  answer,  or  re- 
proof, to  those  who  upbraid  him. 

18.  For  I  confess,  &c.  He  gives  a  reason  why  he  hopes  to  be 
heard. 

Ps.  XXXIX. 

2.  —  even  what  teas  good  :  i.  e.  Lest  I  should  say  something 
wrong,  I  resolved  to  say  nothing  either  good  or  bad. 


NOTES.  307 

3.  —  the  fire  hurst  forth.  The  fire  of  discontent  and  complaint 
seems  to  be  intended.  Dr.  Henry  thus  correctly  comments  upon 
it  :  —  "  Binding  the  distempered  part  did  but  draw  the  humor  to  it. 
He  could  bridle  his  tongue,  but  could  not  keep  his  passion  under." 

6.  —  in  a  vain  show  :  literally,  iri  an  image,  i,  e.  as  Dr.  Ham- 
mond remarks,  —  "  Our  life  is  but  a  picture  or  image,  shadow  or 
dream  of  life  ;  it  vanisheth  in  a  trice." 

8.  —  all  my  transgressions  :  i.  e.  from  my  distresses,  the  conse- 
quences of  my  transgressions. 

Ps.  XL. 

In  this  psalm  the  writer  gives  fervent  thanks  to  God  for  some 
great  deliverance  which  he  had  experienced,  and  for  many  general 
mercies.  He  expresses  also  the  feeling,  that  the  best  acknowledg- 
ment which  he  can  make  to  God  is,  not  by  sacrifices,  but  by  obedi- 
ence to  his  law.  The  latter  part  of  the  psalm  contains  a  prayer  for 
deliverance  from  evils  and  dangers  which  still  encompassed  the 
writer. 

It  is  so  plain  that  the  writer  of  the  psalm  who  begins  in  the  first 
person,  "I  trusted  steadfastly,"  &c.,  is  the  subject  of  it  throughout, 
that  it  is  surprising  that  any  one,  who  rejects  the  typical  or  alle- 
gorical mode  of  interpretation  as  unfounded,  can  suppose  the  psalm 
to  relate  to  any  other  person  except  the  writer  of  it.  The  psalm 
contains  no  prophecy  of  any  kind,  but  only  thanksgiving  for  the 
past,  a  description  of  the  present,  and  prayer  for  the  future.  The 
author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  adopting  an  erroneous  trans- 
lation of  the  Septuagint  version,  namely,  "  A  body  thou  hast  pre- 
pared for  me,"  instead  of,  "  Mine  ears  thou  hast  opened,"  applies 
verses  6—8  to  the  Messiah.  But  he  does  this  according  to  the 
typical  or  allegorical  mode  of  interpretation  which  he  employs  else- 
where in  the  Epistle,  and  which  was  regarded  as  valid  by  his  con- 
temporaries. It  is  only  in  this  typical  sense,  that  the  great  mass  of 
Christian  interpreters  have  supposed  the  psalm  to  relate  to  the 
Messiah.  In  its  primary  sense,  they  have  supposed  David  to  be  the 
subject  of  it  throughout. 

The  last  five  verses  are  found  repeated  as  the  seventieth  psalm, 
which  was  probably  an  extract  from  this  for  purposes  of  religious 
worship. 

6.  —  Mine  ears  thou  hast  opened.  This  may  mean.  Thou  hast 
revealed  to  me  the  truth,  that  sacrifices  and  oblations  are  not  accept- 


308  NOTES. 

able  to  thee,  except  as  they  are  expressive  of  inward  feeling,  of  an 
obedient  will,  and  the  devotion  of  one's  self  to  God  ;  or.  Thou  hast 
inclined  me  to  obey  thy  commands  ;  as  one's  ears  are  opened,  or 
attentive,  either  to  receive  information  or  to  listen  to  commands  as  a 
servant.  In  1  Sam.  ix.  15,  xx.  2,  12,  13,  xxii.  8,  17,  the  expres- 
sions, "  he  had  told  in  his  ear,"  "  will  show  it  me,"  are,  in  the 
Hebrew,  "'JTi<~nX  hSj  or  hSj^,  "  he  had  uncovered,"  or  "  will 
uncover  my  ear."  Comp.  Is.  1.  4,  5.  In  Ruth  iv.  4,  "I  thought  to 
advertise  thee,"  is,  in  the  original,  "  I  thought  to  uncover  thine  ear." 
Comp.  Job  xxxiii.  16,  xxxvi.  10.  On  the  whole,  the  first  mean- 
ing seems  best  supported  by  analogous  phrases,  and  by  the  con- 
nection. 

7.  Therefore  I  said  :  i.  e.  to  myself,  I  purposed.  A  very  com- 
mon Hebrew  idiom.  —  Lo,  I  come  :  i.  e.  instead  of  bringing  sacri- 
fices and  offerings,  I  come  and  personally  devote  myself  to  thy  ser- 
vice ;  I  stand  ready  to  do  thy  will.  So  Le  Clerc,  "  Venio,  ut  tibi 
parerem."  Some  critics  find  a  difficulty  in  making  the  phrase  "  I 
come"  mean  so  much  as  I  come  in  the  icay  of  obedience.  It  is 
true,  there  is  no  instance  of  phraseology  precisely  similar.  But  the 
connection  is  very  much  in  favor  of  this  meaning,  and  it  is  difficult 
to  conceive  what  other  meaning  David  could  have  had,  when  he 
said,  "I  come."  We  may  even  suppose  verse  eighth  to  be  the 
completion  of  the  thought,  which  he  may  not  have  fully  expressed 
in  the  words  "  I  come."  That  is,  supposing  that  he  intended  to 
say,  /  come  to  do  thy  will.,  the  parenthesis  "  In  the  scroll  of  the 
book  it  is  prescribed  to  me  "  being  introduced,  instead  of  closing 
the  sentence  in  form,  he  closes  it  virtually  by  the  exclamation,  "O 
my  God,  to  do  thy  will  is  my  delight,"  &c.  —  In  the  scroll  of  the 
hook :  i.  e.  the  book  of  the  law,  of  the  well  known  Oriental  form. 
Some  understand  the  phrase  to  denote  the  book  of  the  divine  pur- 
poses. But  it  does  not  seem  agreeable  to  the  phraseology  of  the 
Scriptures  that  any  one  should  say  of  himself,  that  it  was  written 
in  the  divine  mind  that  he  should  be  obedient  to  the  will  of  God. 
The  connection  in  this  passage  rather  points  us  to  the  book-roll  of 
the  divine  law.  —  it  is  prescribed  to  vie.  The  same  Hebrew  ex- 
pression is  used  in  2  Kings  xxii.  13,  translated  in  the  common  ver- 
sion, "  Our  fathers  have  not  hearkened  unto  the  words  of  this  book, 
to  do  according  unto  all  that  which  is  written  concerning  us,"  where 
the  meaning  evidently  is,  "  prescribed  to  us."  Comp.  Esth,  ix.  23, 
Prov.  xxii.  20,  lios.  viii.  12.  Another  translation  of  verse  seventh 
is  given  by  Gesenius  and  Ewald,  as  follows :  — 


NOTES.  309 

"  Then  I  said,  Lo,  I  come 
With  the  scroll  of  the  book  which  is  prescribed  to  me." 

That  of  De  Wette  is,  "  Lo,  I  come  with  the  scroll  of  the  book  writ- 
ten in  my  heart";  a  free  rendering  for  "written  upon  me."  But 
if,  by  "  coming  with  the  scroll  of  the  book,"  we  understand,  with 
Ewald,  that  the  poet  came  into  the  temple  before  God  with  the 
•book  of  the  law  in  his  hands,  this  would  be  a  mere  symbol,  as 
much  as  the  offering  of  sacrifices,  and  might  be  performed  without 
true  obedience.  The  translation,  or  rather  paraphrase,  of  De  Wette 
strikes  me  as  quite  forced. 

12.  —  My  iiiiquities  have  overtaken  me.  Some  who  apply  the 
whole  psalm  exclusively  to  the  Messiah,  being  pressed  with  the 
difficulty  which  this  line  presents,  translate,  "  My  distresses  have 
overtaken  me."  But  there  is  no  clear  case  in  the  Scriptures,  in 
which  p'i/*,  though  a  word  of  very  common  occurrence,  denotes  dis- 
tress or  calamity,  except  in  passages  where,  by  synecdoche  of  the 
effect  for  the  cause,  it  denotes  that  distress  which  is  the  conse- 
quence of  sin.  If,  therefore,  we  do  not  translate  the  line,  My  ini- 
quities, &c.,  we  must  translate  My  punishments,  or  My  distresses, 
the  consequences  of  my  sins.  2  Sam.  xvi.  12  may  seem  to  be  an 
exception.  But  why  may  not  David  have  regarded  the  rebellion 
of  Absalom  as  a  punishment  for  his  sins  .'  The  new  translation, 
therefore,  which  Professor  Stuart  *  proposes,  does  not  remove  tho 
difficulty. 

Ps.  XLI. 

This  psalm  is  commonly  supposed  to  have  been  composed  by 
David  during  the  rebellion  of  Absalom.  A  dangerous  sickness,  as 
well  as  the  reproaches  and  persecution  of  domestic  enemies,  seem 
to  have  been  the  occasion  of  it. 

1.  —  the  poor.  The  poet  is  led  to  make  this  commendation  of 
kindness  to  the  afflicted,  in  consequence  of  having  felt  the  want 
of  it. 

4.  —  sinned  against  thee  :  i.  e.  I  am  suffering  on  account  of  my 
sins  against  thee. 

8.  —  clcaveth,  &c.  :  i.  e,  in  its  consequences ;  in  the  miseries 
which  are  upon  him. 

*  Excursus  to  Hebrews,  p.  591. 


310  NOTES. 

9.  —  who  did  eat  of  my  hread.  If  the  same  sentiment  prevailed 
among  the  Hebrews,  which  prevails  at  the  present  day  among  the 
Bedouin  Arabs,  of  sacred  regard  to  the  person  and  property  of  one 
with  whom  they  have  eaten  bread  and  salt,  the  language  is  very 
forcible,  —  lifted  up  his  heel :  a  metaphor  drawn  from  the  horse, 
which  attacks  with  its  heels.  This  language  may  well  have  been 
used  by  our  Saviour,  in  John  xiii.  18,  in  the  way  of  rhetorical  illus- 
tration or  emphasis. 

13.  This  doxology  was,  in  all  probability,  placed  here  by  the 
collector  of  this  first  book  of  forty-one  psalms.     See  p.  27,  &c. 

Ps.  XLII.,  XLIII. 

These  two  psalms  undoubtedly  form  but  one  composition.  They 
have  one  subject,  and  are  written  in  the  same  style.  The  conclud- 
ing verse,  or  refrain,  is  the  same  that  occurs  in  Ps.  xlii.  and  which 
is  repeated  after  every  five  verses.  In  forty-six  Hebrew  manu- 
scripts, there  is  no  separation  between  the  two  psalms.  For  beauty 
of  imagery,  depth  and  naturalness  of  religious  feeling,  and  the  very 
striking  manner  in  which  the  voice  of  religion  in  the  poet's  inmost 
soul  is  heard  in  the  refrains,  stilling  the  tempest  of  anxiety  and 
grief  caused  by  his  situation,  this  psalm  is  so  admirable  that  it  prob- 
ably has  no  superior  in  any  language.  It  seems  to  have  been  writ- 
ten in  exile,  among  enemies  of  the  Jewish  nation  and  religion. 

1.  As  the  hart,  &c.  "  In  the  East,  where  streams  are  not 
common,  and  where  the  deer  are  so  often  chased  by  their  savage 
cotenants  of  the  forest  and  the  glade,  no  wonder  that  they  are 
often  driven  from  their  favorite  haunts  to  the  parched  grounds. 
After  this,  their  thirst  becomes  excessive  ;  but  they  dare  not  return 
to  the  water,  lest  they  should  again  meet  the  enemy.  When  the 
good  Ramar  and  his  people  went  through  the  thirsty  wilderness,  it 
is  written,  '  As  the  deer  cried  for  water,  so  did  they.'  In  going 
through  the  desert  yesterday,  my  thirst  was  so  great,  I  cried  out 
like  the  deer  for  water."     Roberts's  Illustrations. 

2.  —  the  living  God :  in  contradistinction  from  the  idol  gods, 
by  the  worshippers  of  which  the  poet  was  surrounded.  —  appear 
before  God  :  i.e.  in  his  house  of  worship.  The  Hebrews  attached 
an  importance  to  the  place  of  worship  almost  beyond  the  conception 
of  Christians  at  the  present  day. 

5.  —  /  shall  yet  j)raise  him,  &c.  :  i.  e.  I  shall  yet  be  delivered 
or  restored,  and  thus  have  cause  to  praise  him. 


NOTES.  811 

6.  —.  of  Jordan.  This  may  mean  the  land  beyond  the  Jordan, 
or  the  land  lying  near  the  sources  of  the  Jordan. 

7.  Deep  calleth,  &c. :  i.  e.  One  billow  calleth  for  another  to  fol- 
low close  upon  it;  i.  e.  one  trouble  comes  upon  me  after  another  in 
quick  succession.  —  cataracts,  &c.  The  irresistible  and  over- 
whelming calamities  which  came  upon  the  poet  are  denoted. 

8.  —  his  praise  was  with  me  :  i.  e.  on  account  of  the  happy  con- 
dition in  which  I  found  myself.  —  God  of  my  life :  i.  e.  the 
Preserver  of  my  life. 

XLIII.  3.  —  thy  light  and  thy  truth  :  i.  e.  thy  favor  and  thy 
faithfulness.     See  xxxvi.  9,  and  the  note. 


Ps.  XLIV. 

This  psalm  is  supposed  by  Calvin  and  many  modern  interpreters 
to  have  been  composed  in  the  time  of  the  Maccabees  ;  see  1  Mace. 
ch.  i.,  2  Mace.  ch.  v.;  a  supposition  to  which  there  seems  to  be  no 
valid  objection,  and  which  is  as  well  suited  to  the  contents  of  the 
psalm  as  any  which  has  been  made. 

12.  —  sellest,  &c.  This  language  is  probably  figurative,  denot- 
ing, Thou  deliverest  thy  people  into  the  hands  of  their  enemies, 
without  promoting  thine  own  interest  or  honor. 

22.  — for  thy  sake  :  i.  e.  for  no  other  reason  than  our  attach- 
ment to  thy  service  and  worship.     Comp.  1  Mace.  ch.  i. 

25.  —  boiced  down,  —  cleaveth,  &c.  These  are  images  denot- 
ing extreme  depression  and  sorrow.  Comp.  cxiii,  7,  Lam.  ii.  10, 
Job  ii.  8. 

Ps.  XLV. 

.This  ode  appears  to  have  been  composed  by  some  courtly  bard, 
on  the  occasion  of  the  king's  taking  to  himself  a  queen.  There 
seems  to  be  no  objection  to  the  prevalent  opinion,  that  it  was  com- 
posed on  the  marriage  of  Solomon  with  a  daughter  of  the  king  of 
Egypt,  as  recorded  in  1  Kings  iii.  1.  It  has  been  objected,  that  the 
ascription  of  warlike  qualities  to  the  king  is  inconsistent  with  this 
supposition.  But  has  it  been  the  custom  of  poet  laureates,  or  even 
of  writers  of  dedicatory  epistles  to  kings,  to  confine  themselves  to 
strict  history,  in  setting  forth  the  praises  of  their  patrons?  We  must 
also  recollect  that  Oriental  usage  allows  a  much  higher  degree  of 


312  NOTES. 

exaggeration  than  that  of  the  Western  world.  The  application  of 
the  ode  to  Solomon  as  its  subject  is,  however,  matter  of  conjecture, 
favored  by  the  fact  that  Solomon  is  known  to  have  married  a  for- 
eign princess.  But  it  may  have  been  composed  in  honor  of  several 
of  the  Jewish  kings. 

The  ode  begins  with  a  sort  of  procemium,  having  some  resem- 
blance to  a  poet's  address  to  his  Muse,  ver.  1.  The  king  is  then 
praised  for  his  personal  beauty  and  graceful  speech,  ver.  2  ;  for  his 
military  qualifications,  ver.  3-5,  and  the  stability  and  rectitude  of 
his  government,  ver.  6,  7;  for  the  splendor  of  his  dress,  and  the 
magnificence  of  his  establishment,  especially  for  the  beauty  and 
high  birth  of  the  members  of  his  harem,  among  whom  the  queen  is 
preeminent,  ver.  8,  9.  Then  follows  an  appropriate  apostrophe  to 
the  queen,  ver.  10  -  12,  and  a  description  of  her  splendid  dress  and 
retinue,  ver.  13-15,  and  of  her  future  happiness  as  the  mother  of 
a  long  line  of  kings  and  princes,  ver.  16.  Finally,  the  poet  ex- 
presses his  conviction  that  he,  by  his  poem,  shall  preserve  her 
name  and  fame  to  all  coming  generations. 

In  this  general  account  of  the  ode  most  Christian  interpreters 
agree.  But  it  has  been  maintained  that  there  is  a  sense  in  which 
the  language  is  applicable  to  Jesus  Christ.  Thus,  the  English  ver- 
sion most  in  use  before  King  James's  has  the  following  caption  to 
the  psalm  :  —  "The  majesty  of  Solomon,  his  honor,  strength,  beau- 
ty, riches,  and  power,  are  praised  ;  and  also  his  marriage  with  the 
Egyptian,  being  an  heathen  woman,  is  blessed,  if  that  she  can  re- 
nounce her  people  and  the  love  of  her  country,  and  give  herself 
wholly  to  her  husband.  Under  the  which  figure  the  wonderful 
majesty  and  increase  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  and  the  church,  his 
spouse,  now  taken  of  the  Gentiles,  is  described." 

The  arguments  by  which  the  application  of  the  psalm  to  our 
Saviour  has  been  defended  are  the  same  as  those  which  have  been 
used  in  relation  to  the  Canticles,  and  may  be  answered  in  the  same 
way.     See  the  Introd.  to  Cant.,  p.  120,  &c. 

The  unknown  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  who  de- 
lights in  mystical  or  allegorical  interpretations,  has  applied  two 
verses  of  this  psalm  to  Jesus  Christ.  But  it  by  no  means  follows 
that  he  would  have  applied  the  whole  of  it  to  him.  The  allegorical 
interpretation  knows  no  laws.  All  the  acknowledged  laws,  by 
which  the  meaning  of  language  is  obtained,  lead  to  its  absolute  and 
entire  rejection.  With  respect  to  the  application  of  verses  sixth 
and  seventh  by  the  author  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  it  was 


NOTES.  313 

made  according  to  a  mode  of  interpretation  which  was  regarded  by 
his  contemporaries  as  valid,  but  which  can  have  no  force  with  a 
logical  interpreter  of  the  present  day.  It  seems  that  the  Jews 
do  not  regard  the  province  of  inspiration  as  extending  to  matters  of 
interpretation.  Thus,  Maimonides,*  giving  the  sentiments  of  the 
Jewish  doctors  or  wise  men,  says,  —  "In  disquisition,  and  reason- 
ing, and  judgment  in  the  law,  prophets  are  on  a  level  with  other 
wise  men  of  equal  abilities,  who  are  not  endued  with  the  spirit  of 
prophecy.  If  a  thousand  prophets,  all  equal  to  Elijah  and  Elisha, 
should  offer  an  interpretation  of  any  precept,  and  a  thousand  and 
one  wise  men  should  give  a  contrary  interpretation  of  it,  we  are 
bound  to  abide  by  the  opinion  of  the  thousand  and  one  wise  men, 
and  to  reject  the  opinion  of  the  thousand  illustrious  prophets."  It 
appears  to  me  that  this  distinction  is  just.  Infallible  inspiration 
will  assert,  not  argue.  When  one  undertakes  to  argue,  he  refers 
the  matter,  by  the  very  nature  of  the  process,  to  the  reason  and  judg- 
ment of  him  whom  he  addresses. 

Shoshannim.  Musical  instruments,  probably  so  called  from  their 
resemblance  in  form  to  lilies. 

1.  —  is  overflowing :  literally,  bubbles  up,  or  boils  over.  —  like 
the  pen  of  a  ready  writer :  i.  e.  may  I  compose  as  fast  as  a  ready 
writer  can  take  down  words  with  his  pen  or  reed. 

2.  Personal  beauty  was  regarded  as  an  important  accomplishment 
in  a  hero  by  the  ancients.  Thus,  David,  in  1  Sam.  xvi.  12,  is 
praised  for  his  beauty.  So  in  Homer,  Agamemnon,  Achilles,  Hec- 
tor, &c. 

3.  4,  5.  Instead  of  promising  to  the  king  in  general  terms  pros- 
perity and  victory,  the  poet,  in  a  vivid  and  picturesque  way,  repre- 
sents him  as  arming  for  the  conflict,  and  going  forth  among  the 
nations,  adorned  with  all  the  regal  virtues  and  achieving  the  most 
splendid  victories. 

6.  Thy  throne  is  God's :  i.  e.  is  upheld  and  prospered  by  God. 
So,  in  Ps.  civ.  16,  trees  of  the  Lord  denoted  trees  planted  and  nour- 
ished by  God.  This  translation  and  exposition,  as  given  by  Gesenius 
in  his  Hebrew  Thesaurus,  p.  98,  and  his  Hebrew  Grammar,  §  141, 1 
regard  as  on  the  whole  the  most  probable.  It  is  also  the  translation 
of  the  Jewish  critic,  Aben  Ezra,  who  refers  to  1  Chron.  xxix.  23, 
Then  Solomon  sat  on  the  throne  of  the   Lord,  &c.     That  the   term 

*  Porta  Mosis,  Pococke's  Works,  Vol.  I.,  p.  18;  also,  Allen's  Modern  Judaism, 
p.  21 

27 


314  NOTES. 

God  should  be  applied  to  Solomon  or  a  Jewish  king  is  a  supposi- 
tion which  is  not  without  support  from  Hebrew  usage,  as  has  been 
shown  by  many  writers.  But  it  seems  to  me  rather  more  probable 
that  it  is  used  in  the  same  sense  as  in  verse  seventh,  and  in  the 
psalms  generally.  If  any  prefer  the  rendering  of  the  common  ver- 
sion, the  meaning  will  be,  "  Thy  throne,  O  mighty  king,"  &c. 
The  supposition,  that  the  king  who  is  the  subject  of  the  psalm  is 
addressed  as  the  Supreme  Being,  is  repelled  by  the  connection  in 
verse  seventh,*  and  by  the  whole  contents  of  the  psalm.  Whatever 
may  be  the  true  interpretation,  this  cannot  be.  A  translation  of  the 
line  somewhat  different  is  given  by  De  Wette,  namely,  — 

"  Thy  throne  of  God  shall  stand  for  ever  "  ; 
i.   e.    thy  throne  given   and   upheld  by  God,  &c.     Another  well 
known  construction  is  that  of  Griesbach  and  others,  — 

"  God  is  thy  throne  for  ever  and  ever  "  ; 
i.  e.  God  is  the  support  and  foundation  of  thy  throne.  But  as 
sceptre  is  the  subject,  not  the  predicate,  of  the  proposition  in  the 
parallel  line,  it  seems  more  natural  to  regard  throne  as  the  sub- 
ject, not  the  predicate,  in  this.  — for  ever  and  ever.  This  is  a 
common  Oriental  idiom  to  express  long  duration.  See  Ixi.  5,  xxi. 
4,  with  the  note,  2  Sam.  vii.  13,  1  Chron.  xvii.  11-14. 

7.  —  anointed  thee  with  the  oil  of  gladness  :  i.  e.  has  given  thee 
great  joy  or  prosperity.  Comp.  xxiii.  5,  Is.  Ixi.  3.  The  image 
seems  to  be  borrowed  from  the  use  of  fragrant  oil  at  feasts  and  simi- 
lar occasions.     ■—  above  thy  fellows :  i.  e.  above  other  kings. 

8.  —  ivory  palaces :  i.  e.  adorned  or  bordered  with  ivory. 

9.  —  thy  chosen  women  :  literally,  thy  precious  or  dear  ones ; 
evidently  in  reference  to  other  members  of  the  harem,  as  distin- 
guished from  the  queen. 

10.  —  Forget  thy  people  :  i.  e.  Dispel  the  regret  which  you  may 
have  on  leaving  your  nation  and  the  liouse  of  your  fither. 

12.   —  daughter  of  Tyre :  i.  e.  the  Tyrians.   See  the  note  on  ix.  14. 
16.    Instead  of  thy  fathers,  «&c.     As  you  part  from  royal  parents, 
you  shall  be  the  mother  of  royal  children. 

Ps.  XLVI. 

2.  —  though  the  earth  he  changed  :  i.  e.  though  the  earth  be- 
come sea,  and  the  sea  land. 

*  This  is  admitted  by  Stuart  on  Hebrews,  p.  294. 


NOTES.  315 

4.  Her  river ^  &c. :  i.  e.  of  Jerusalem,  the  city  of  God.  We 
need  not  inquire  what  particular  river  or  streams  are  meant.  A 
gentle  river  with  its  streams  seems  to  be  used  as  an  image  to  de- 
note the  peaceful  state  of  Jerusalem,  as  contrasted  with  a  condition 
of  war  and  commotion. 

5.  — full  early:  literally,  before  morning  appears;  i.  e.  with 
the  utmost  readiness,  as  a  person  who  means  to  accomplish  a  favorite 
object  rises  early  for  it.     Comp.  Jer.  vii.  13,  25. 

6.  —  He  uttered  his  voice,  &c.  The  meaning  seems  to  be,  that 
the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  melted,  as  it  were,  with  terror  at  the 
sound  of  his  voice,  and  were  wholly  discomfited. 


Ps.  XLVII. 

4.  —  an  inheritance :  i.  e.  the  land  of  Palestine,  called  "  the 
glory  of  Jacob  "  in  the  next  line,  and  "the  glory  of  all  lands  "  in 
Ezek.  XX.  15. 

5.  —  goeth  up  with  a  shout,  &c.  This  alludes,  probably,  to  the 
carrying  of  the  ark  in  solemn  procession  to  Mount  Zion,  on  its  return 
from  some  war  to  which  it  may  have  been  carried.  Comp.  1  Sam. 
iv.  3-5,  2  Sam.  vi.  15,  xi.  11. 

9.  The  princes  of  the  nations.  It  seems  most  agreeable  to  the 
phraseology  to  understand  this  of  the  nations  mentioned  as  subdued 
in  verse  third.  Otherwise,  leaders  of  the  tribes  of  Israel  have  been 
supposed  to  be  denoted. 

Ps.  XLVIII. 

The  most  common  and  the  most  probable  supposition  respecting 
the  occasion  of  this  psalm  is,  that  it  was  composed  in  reference  to 
the  victory  obtained  by  Jehoshaphat  over  the  combined  forces  of 
the  Moabites,  Ammonites,  and  Edomites,  as  recorded  in  2  Chron. 
ch.  XX.  Others  have  referred  it  to  the  deliverance  from  the  invasion 
of  Sennacherib. 

2.  — of  the  whole  earth.  This  must  be  regarded  as  the  hyper- 
bolical description  of  a  Hebrew  poet,  ascribing  his  own  patriotic 
feelings  to  the  inhabitants  of  foreign  lands.  —  The  joy  of  the 
farthest  North.  This  rendering  is  favored  by  the  parallelism  more, 
and   by  the  grammatical  construction  at  least  as  much,  as  the  flat 


316  NOTES. 

translation  most  commonly  given   to  the  line.      It  is  adopted  by 
De  Wette,  Tholuck,  and  Gesenius.     See  Ges.  Thesaur.  on  HDy. 

7.  —  ships  of  Tarshish :  i.  e.  which,  sailing  probably  from  Phoe- 
nicia to  so  distant  a  place  as  Tarshish  in  Spain,  would  be  the 
largest  and  strongest  of  ships. 

8.  —  have  heard:  i.  e.  from  our  fathers. 

10.  —  of  righteousness  :  manifested  in  the  punishment  of  the 
enemies  of  thy  people,  equivalent  to  righteous  judgments  in  the 
next  verse. 

11.  —  daughters  of  Judah.  It  may  be  considered  as  doubtful, 
whether  this  phrase  denotes  the  lesser  cities  of  Judah  in  comparison 
with  the  metropolis,  or  the  female  minstrels  who  celebrated  the 
victories  of  the  Jews.     See  Ixviii.  11. 


Ps.  XLIX. 

The  subject  of  this  didactic  psalm  is  substantially  the  same  as 
that  of  Ps.  xxxix.,  Ixxiii.,  and  in  fact  of  the  whole  book  of  Job.  It 
is  designed  to  meet  the  doubts  which  arise  in  the  mind,  on  the 
contemplation  of  the  manner  in  which  good  and  evil  are  distributed 
in  the  world  ;  the  wicked  often  enjoying  prosperity,  and  the  right- 
eous suffering  adversity.  In  this  psalm,  spiritual  good,  internal 
peace,  a  sense  of  the  friendship  of  God,  and  confidence  in  his  pro- 
tection, are  set  forth  as  more  than  a  balance  for  all  the  advantages 
of  prosperous  wickedness. 

It  is  observable  that  wealth  alone  is  mentioned  as  the  evidence 
of  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked.  It  is  not  improbable,  therefore, 
that  the  poet  was  one  of  many  who  were  suffering  under  the  op- 
pression and  extortion  of  rich  and  powerful  enemies  ;  possibly  for- 
eign enemies,  enemies  of  the  Jewish  nation. 

1.  Hear  this,  &c.  The  poet  begins  with  the  solemn  dignity  of 
a  prophet,  summoning  the  whole  world  to  listen  to  a  lesson  of  re- 
ligious wisdom  which  concerns  every  class  of  men. 

4.  —  incline  mine  ear.  This  may  mean  that  the  poet  would 
give  close  attention  to  whafhe  was  about  to  sing  upon  the  harp; 
or,  that  he  would  listen  in  order  to  receive  what  should  be  suggested 
to  his  soul,  as  other  poets  are  said  to  listen  to  the  Muse. 

8.  —  the  redemption  of  his  life  :  i.  e.  from  death.  I  have  re- 
versed the  order  of  the  eighth  and  ninth  verses  for  the  sake  of 
clearness. 


NOTES.  317 

11.  — their  names  will  he  celebrated,  &c.  :  more  literally,  that 
men  shall  call  upon  their  names,  &c. 

12.  —  man,  who  is  in  honor,  &c. ;  i.  e.  possessed  of  dignity, 
wealth,  &c. 

13.  —  the  way,  &c. :  i.  e.  of  thinking  and  acting.     See  ver.  11. 

14.  Like  sheep  :  i.  e.  huddled  together  into  the  lower  world,  as 
sheep  into  a  fold.  —  Death  shall  feed  upon  them :  i.  e.  consume  them ; 
or,  Death  shall  feed  them,  i.  e.  be  their  shepherd,  rule  them.  The 
term  np"!  admits  of  either  rendering.  —  trample  upon  them:  i.  e.  on 
the  graves  of  those  whom  they  feared  when  alive. 

15.  —  will  redeem  my  life  from  the  underworld,  &c.  This  lan- 
guage is  in  itself  ambiguous;  it  being  doubtful  whether  the  meaning 
is,  that  God  would  lengthen  out  the  life  of  the  writer,  and  not  suffer 
him  to  go  down  to  a  premature  grave,  while  his  insidious  adversa- 
ries were  cut  off,  like  slaughtered  beasts  ;  or  whether  the  meaning 
is,  that  God  would  restore  him  to  life  after  he  was  dead  and  buried. 
Similar  language  is  found  in  Hosea  xiii.  14,  — 

"I  would  ransom  them  from  the  power  of  the  grave  ; 
I  would  redeem  them  from  death  ; 
O  death,  I  would  be  thy  plague  ! 
O  grave,  I  would  be  thy  destruction  ! 
But  repentance  is  hidden  from  mine  eyes." 

In  this  passage  from  Hosea  the  meaning  is,  that  God  was  willing 
to  save  the  nation  of  Israel  from  temporal  destruction.  So  in  Ps. 
Ixxxix.  48,  we  read, — 

"  What  man  liveth,  and  seeth  not  death  ^ 
Who  can  deliver  himself  from  the  underworld  ?  " 

In  these  lines,  too,  the  meaning  is,  that  no  one  can  help  dying  and 
going  down  to  the  grave.  These  passages  seem  to  favor  the  opin- 
ion, that  by  God's  redeeming  the  poet's  life  from  the  underworld  is 
meant,  that  God  would  not  permit  him  to  go  down  into  it  prema- 
turely, and  not  that  he  would  raise  him  from  the  dead.  It  appears, 
too,  from  verse  fifth,  that  he  was  in  danger  from  insidious  foes  ;  so 
that  the  thought  is  agreeable  to  the  connection,  that  God  would  not 
suffer  these  foes  to  bring  him  to  a  premature  grave. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  course  of  remark  which  the  poet  pursues 
might  lead  us,  from  our  Christian  point  of  view,  to  the  idea  of  im- 
mortal  felicity,  as  the  great  distinction  between  the  good  and  the 
bad.     The  poet  himself  says,  in  verse  tenth,  that  the  wise  die  some 
27* 


318  NOTES. 

time  or  other,  as  well  as  the  foolish.  But  we  must  remember  that 
thoughts,  which  are  familiar  to  us,  might  not  be  in  the  mind  of  a 
Hebrew  writer  of  this  age.  In  the  Book  of  Job,  of  Ecclesiastes,  of 
Proverbs,  and  other  books  of  the  Old  Testament,  we  might  expect 
the  doctrine  of  immortality  to  be  brought  in,  to  account  for  the  suf- 
ferings of  the  righteous.  But  we  do  not  find  it.  See  the  Introduc- 
tions to  Job,  Ecclesiastes,  and  Proverbs.  If  the  doctrine  were 
known  to  the  writers  of  the  Psalms,  we  might  expect  it  to  be  stated 
more  distinctly,  and  to  occupy  an  important  place  in  the  minds  of 
the  writers.  On  the  whole,  therefore,  it  seems  most  probable  that 
faith  in  a  happy  immortality  is  not  what  is  expressed  by  the  writer 
in  this  verse,  but  only  confidence  of  deliverance  from  the  danger  of 
death.  Inward,  spiritual  good,  the  friendship  of  God,  and  trust  in 
him  at  all  times,  appear  to  have  constituted,  in  the  rnind  of  the 
poet,  the  distinction  between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  how- 
ever improbable  it  may  seem  at  first  view  to  a  Christian,  that  those 
who  had  attained  such  elevated  religious  sentiments  in  other  re- 
spects should  be  destitute  of  faith  in  a  desirable  immortality  of  the 
human  soul.  See  the  note  on  vi.  5.  —  take  me  under  his  protec- 
tion. For  a  similar  use  of  npS ,  see  Ixxiii.  24,  Deut.  iv.  20. 
17.    —  carry  nothing  away. 

"  Linquenda  tellus,  et  domus,  et  placens 
Uxor;  neque  harum,  quas  colis,  arborum 
Te,  praeter  invisas  cupressos, 
Ulla  brevem  dominum  sequetur."    Hor.  Carm.  ii.  11. 


Ps.  L. 

The  sublime  theophany  with  which  this  psalm  is  introduced, 
ver.  1  —  6,  is  to  be  regarded  as  a  poetical  representation,  the  mean- 
ing of  which  is,  that  the  sentiments,  promises,  and  denunciations 
which  follow  have  the  sanction  of  divine  authority.  The  mode  of 
representation  is  designed  to  arrest  the  attention  of  the  reader. 

1.  — calleth  the  earth:  i.  e.  summons  the  inhabitants  of  the 
whole  earth  as  witnesses. 

2.  — perfection  of  beauty.  See  xlviii.  2,  Lam.  ii.  15.  —  shin- 
eth  forth  :  i.  e.  appears  in  splendor. 

3.  —  icill  not  be  silent :  i.  e.  his  approach  is  manifested  by 
thunder.     Comp.  Exod.  xix. 


NOTES. 


319 


4.  —  the  heavens,  —  the  earth  :  i.  e.  calls  the  inhabitants  of 
them  to  be,  as  it  were,  witnesses  of  proceedings  in  court. 

5.  —  my  worshippers,  &c, :  they  who  profess  to  be  my  wor- 
shippers, and  have  bound  themselves  to  worship  and  serve  me  by  a 
covenant  confirmed  by  the  blood  of  sacrifices,  wishing  that  they 
might  be  dealt  with  like  the  victims,  if  they  did  not  fulfil  their 
engagements. 

11.  — before  me:  i.  e.  I  know  them,  as  in  the  preceding  line, 
and  consequently  have  them  ready  at  my  service. 

20.  Thou  sittest:  i.  e.  in  company  with  others,  in  public  places. 
—  thine  own  mother's  son.  Polygamy  being  allowed  among  the 
Hebrews,  they  who  were  born  of  the  same  mother  were  in  a  more 
intimate  relation  to  each  other  than  they  who  had  only  the  same 
father. 

21.  —  I  kept  silence  :  i.  e.  did  not  make  known  my  displeasure 
by  the  infliction  of  punishment. 


Ps.  LI. 

The  inscription  assigns  the  occasion  on  which  this  psalm  was 
composed  ;  namely,  the  sin  of  David  in  relation  to  Bathsheba  and 
Uriah.  There  would  be  no  good  reason  for  questioning  the  cor- 
rectness of  this  inscription,  were  it  not  for  the  last  two  verses, 
which  seem  to  imply  a  later  age  than  that  of  David,  Hence  it  be- 
comes necessary  to  question  the  correctness  of  the  inscription,  or 
the  genuineness  of  the  last  two  verses.  As  these  verses  do  not 
seem  to  have  any  connection  with  the  general  subject  of  the  psalm, 
perhaps  the  latter  alternative  is  preferable. 

3.  —  ever  before  me :  i.  e.  my  guilt  haunts  me  night  and  day, 
reproaching  me  with  ingratitude  to  God. 

4.  Against  thee,  thee  only.  The  writer,  if  David,  had  deeply  in- 
jured his  fellow-man.  But  he  felt  his  guilt  most  deeply  in  relation 
to  God,  to  whom,  as  being  king,  he  was  alone  accountable.  He 
had  been  guilty  of  ingratitude  to  his  infinite  benefactor,  who  had 
raised  him  from  obscurity  to  a  throne ;  so  that  his  feeling  of  ill- 
desert  in  relation  to  man  was,  as  it  were,  swallowed  up  by  his 
sense  of  guilt  in  relation  to  God.  In  the  hyperbolical  language  of 
strong  emotion,  he  therefore  says,  "  Against  thee,  thee  only,  have  I 
sinned." 

5.  Behold !  I  was  born  in  iniquity,  &c.      It  has  been  doubted 


320  NOTES. 

whether  the  iniquity  mentioned  in  this  verse  was  that  of  the  writer, 
or  of  the  writer's  mother.  Eminent  critics  are  divided  in  opinion 
on  the  subject.     In  the  book  of  Job  we  read,  — 

"  Man,  that  is  born  of  woman. 

Is  of  few  days  and  full  of  trouble." 
"  What  is  man,  that  he  should  be  clean, 

And  he  that  is  born  of  woman,  that  he  should  be  innocent? " 

But  in  these  passages  of  Job,  the  being  born  of  woman  is  men- 
tioned by  way  of  lightening  human  guilt,  and  showing  that  man  was 
more  worthy  of  divine  compassion  on  that  account.  But  in  this 
psalm,  the  writer  seems  deeply  humbled  with  a  sense  of  his  actual 
guilt,  and  ready  to  exaggerate  rather  than  to  lessen  it.  It  seems 
better  suited  to  this  state  of  feeling,  that  the  poet  should  be  speaking 
of  his  own  personal  iniquity,  rather  than  that  he  should  be  exagger- 
ating his  low  condition  by  representing  that  he  was  born  of  sinful 
parents.  This  consideration  would  alleviate  instead  of  increasing 
his  guilt.  It  appears  to  me,  therefore,  rather  more  probable  that 
to  be  born  in  iniquity  and  conceived  in  sin  means  to  be  born  a 
sinner,  but  not  in  a  strict  metaphysical  sense.  The  writer  is  a 
poet,  using  the  hyperbolical  language  of  strong  emotion.  Under 
a  deep  sense  of  guilt,  he  expresses  the  thought,  that  he  had  been 
not  only  a  great  sinner  on  particular  occasions,  but  an  habitual 
sinner ;  that  he  had  sinned  against  God  a  long  time,  even  from  his 
youth,  so  that  he  might  say  that  he  was,  as  it  were,  born  in  in- 
iquity and  conceived  in  sin.  Comp.  xxii.  9,  10,  Iviii.  3,  Is.  xlviii. 
8,  Job  xxxi.  18.  So,  when  we  hear  it  said  that  one  is  born  a  poet, 
an  orator,  a  mathematician,  &c.,  we  do  not  think  of  understanding 
the  language  to  the  letter. 

6.  —  wisdom  :  i.  e.  moral  strength,  moral  and  religious  prin- 
ciple. 

10.  — steadfast  mind:  i.  e.  moral  strength,  fixed  purposes  in 
that  which  is  good. 

12.  —  a  free  spirit.  It  seems  to  be  doubtful  whether  this  phrase 
denotes  the  divine  spirit  freely  bestowed,  or  the  willing,  ready,  free 
spirit  of  David,  when  he  should  obtain  forgiveness  of  sin,  and  re- 
lief from  fear,  anxiety,  &c.  I  ])refer  the  latter,  as  the  term  "  free  " 
is  nowhere  else  ascribed  to  the  spirit  of  God,  and  as  there  is  no 
pronoun  or  article  prefixed  to  refer  the  terra  to  God. 

13.  —  thy  ways :  i.  e.  the  ways  which  thou  approvest ;  thy 
precepts. 


NOTES.  321 


Ps.  LII. 

1.  JVhy  gloriestj  &c. :  i.  e.  Why  do  you  anticipate  success  in 
your  evil  designs  against  me,  from  whom  the  favor  of  God  is  never 
withdrawn  ? 

8.  —  like  a  green  olive-tree^  &c. :  i.  e.  I  shall  flourish  and  pros- 
per, and  be  under  God's  special  protection,  like  an  olive-tree  planted 
in  the  courts  of  God's  house. 

Ps.  LIII. 
See  the  notes  on  Ps.  xiv. 

Ps.  LV. 

The  occasion  of  this  psalm  is  not  indicated  with  any  degree  of 
certainty.  It  is  most  commonly  referred  to  the  rebellion  of  Ab- 
salom. 

10.    —  these  :  i.  e.  violence  and  strife. 

15.   —  alive.    Comp.  Numb.  xvi.  33. 

19.  —  710  reverses :  i.  e.  because  they  have  had  uniform  success, 
they  persist  in  their  designs,  without  fear  of  God. 

Ps.  LVI. 

The  dumb  dove^  &c.  This  appellation  was  probably  given  to  the 
Hebrew  nation,  while  exiled  in  a  foreign  land,  and  may  have  been 
the  title  to  a  song.  Comp.  Ixxiv.  19,  and  the  paraphrase  of  the 
Sept.  Some  critics,  not  thinking  the  Jewish  inscription  of  this 
psalm  well  suited  to  its  contents,  have  supposed  that  it  was  com- 
posed by  some  exile  in  Babylon. 

8.  —  my  wanderings :  i.  e.  in  order  to  escape  my  pursuers. 
See  ver.  1.  —  into  thy  bottle.  As  this  figure  is  rather  harsh,  in 
itself  considered,  some  suppose  that  there  is  an  allusion  to  a  custom, 
similar  to  that  which  prevailed  among  the  Romans,  of  collecting 
tears  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  a  deceased  person  into  a  glass  vial, 
which  was  deposited  in  the  sepulchre  of  the  dead.  See  Adam's 
Antiquities,  p.  483.  De  Wette  refers  to  the  traveller  Morier,  as 
showing  that  traces  of  this  custom  exist  among  the  Persians.  —  in 
thy  book :  i.  e.  as  it  were,  in  a  register,  for  remembrance. 


NOTES. 


Ps.  LVII. 

—  to  the  tune  of  ^^  Do  not  <]^estroy" :  i.  e.  of  some  psalm  which 
began  with  those  words.  There  is  much  reason  to  doubt  whether 
the  Jewish  inscription,  assigning  the  occasion  of  this  psalm,  be 
correct. 

4.  —  whose  teeth :  an  expression  suggested  by  the  term  lions, 
to  which  ferocious  men  are  compared  in  the  former  part  of  the 
verse. 

5.  —  above  the  heavens,  &c.  :  namely,  by  displaying  thy  good- 
ness in  relieving  me  from  my  distress. 

6.  —  My  soul  is  bowed  down :  i.  e.  I  despair  of  escaping  the 
plots  and  snares  of  my  enemies ;  or,  perhaps,  in  a  physical  sense, 
*'  I  am  brought  low  "  by  their  artifices. 

7.  —  is  strengthened :  i.  e.  has  gained  courage,  firmness,  confi- 
dence, in  contradistinction  to  a  desponding,  trembling  heart.  See 
cxii.  7. 

8.  —  my  soul :  literally,  my  glory :  i.  e.  my  dearest,  most  glo- 
rious part ;  like  i/iibv  iplXov  7jToq  in  Homer.  Other  instances  of 
a  similar  use  of  the  word  are  in  vii.  5,  xvi.  9,  Gen.  xlix.  6. 
—  icake  with  the  early  dawn :  otherwise,  wake  the  early  dawn. 


Ps.  LVIII. 

If  the  Jewish  inscription  of  this  psalm  be  correct,  it  may  be  re- 
ferred to  the  times  of  Saul.  But  the  contents  of  it  favor  the  opinion 
of  several  critics,  that  it  is  the  production  of  some  unknown  author 
in  private  life. 

2.  —  weigh  out :  i.  e.  from  what  should  be  scales  of  justice,  ye 
weigh  out  violence  instead  of  equity. 

3.  The  wicked,  —  The  liars.  The  connection  seems  to  show  that 
the  writer  is  speaking  of  particular  persons,  namely,  corrupt  judges 
and  magistrates,  and  not  of  the  wicked  and  liars  in  general. 

5.    —  the  voice  of  the  charmer.     See  the  note  on  Eccles.  x.  11. 

8.  —  the  snail,  which  melts  aicay,  &c.  Allusion  is  here  made 
to  the  slimy  track  which  the  snail  leaves  behind,  and  which  the 
writer  regarded  as  consuming  its  life. 

9.  — feel  the  heat  of  the  thorns.  This  proverb  seems  to  be  bor- 
rowed from  the  fires  which  in  the  East  used  to  be  lighted  in  the 


NOTES.  323 

open  air  for  culinary  purposes.  The  fuel  would  sometimes  be 
blown  away  by  a  sudden  gust  of  wind,  before  it  had  answered  its 
purpose.  The  defeat  of  the  plans  of  the  wicked,  before  they  were 
executed,  would  thus  be  represented. 


Ps.  LIX. 

6.  Let  them  return  at  evenings  &c. :  i,  e.  At  the  close  of  the  day, 
which  they  have  spent  in  vain  in  lying  in  wait  for  me,  let  them 
return  from  their  employment.  — howl  like  dogs :  i.e.  which  in 
the  East,  often  having  no  owner,  go  about  the  city  howling  with 
hunger  for  whatever  may  be  cast  about  the  walls  of  a  city.  See 
ver.  15. 

7.  —  who  —  will  hear :  i.  e.  God  will  not  hear,  nor  punish. 
Comp.  X.  11. 

11.  Slay  them  not^  &c.  :  i.  e.  Put  not  an  end  to  them  by  sudden 
destruction,  but  by  lingering  misery,  so  that  they  may  be  an  exam- 
ple of  infamy  which  may  not  be  forgotten. 


Ps.  LX. 

—  Shushan-Eduth.  This  term  seems  to  denote  a  musical  instru- 
ment, but  why  it  received  its  peculiar  appellation,  "  lily  of  testi- 
mony," is  a  difficult  question.  The  instrument  may  have  been  of 
the  form  of  a  lily,  and  called  lily  of  testimony  from  its  consecration 
to  the  testimony,  or  revelation,  of  God.  —  Joab  returned^  &c. 
See  1  Chron.  xviii.  13.  Dr.  Geddes  remarks  on  the  Jewish  title  to 
this  psalm  :  —  "  Whoever  undertakes  to  reconcile  the  title  of  this 
psalm  to  any  part  of  David's  history  will  find  it  a  hard  attempt. 
It  is,  indeed,  by  some  [such  as  Venema,  Dathe,  and  Houbigant] 
supposed  to  have  been  written  by  David,  not  during  his  war  with 
the  Syrians,  but  in  the  beginning  of  his  reign.  But  this  hypothesis 
to  me  appears  at  least  equally  unfounded.  David  was  successful 
in  all  his  wars;  and  never  could  say  what  is  here  put  in  his 
mouth.  But  when,  then,  was  the  psalm  most  probably  composed  ? 
Plainly,  after  some  great  disaster  had  befallen  the  hosts  of  Judah  ; 
and  I  can  find  no  period  so  proper  as  at  the  commencement  of  the 
reign  of  Hezekiah.  See  his  speech  to  the  priests  and  Levites, 
2  Chron.  xxix.  5."  Others  refer  the  psalm  to  the  time  of  the 
Maccabees. 


324  NOTES. 

3.  —  the  wine  of  reeling  :  a  common  image  in  the  Scriptures  to 
denote  the  reception  of  punishment  from  God,  which  causes  him 
on  whom  it  is  inflicted  to  reel  like  a  drunkard. 

6.  God  promiseth^  &c.  "  This  is  a  beautiful  transition.  The 
psalmist  is  already  certain  that  his  prayer  has  been  heard  ;  and,  in- 
stead of  continuing  his  plaintive  expostulations,  breaks  forth  into 
joyful  exultation,  in  the  hope  that  he  shall  not  only  be  rescued 
from  his  present  enemies,  but  shall  also  recover  the  ancient  terri- 
tories that  had  been  wrested  from  the  house  of  David,  both  within 
and  without  the  limits  of  Israel."  Geddes.  —  measure  out :  i.  e. 
as  a  conquered  land,  for  distribution  among  his  followers. 

7.  —  my  helmet :  the  chief  defence  of  me  and  my  kingdom. 
—  my  sceptre:  i.  e.  the  seat  of  my  government;  the  sceptre  being 
the  badge  of  government. 

8.  Moab  shall  be  my  wash-bowl :  i,  e.  shall  be  in  the  most  abject 
subjection,  and  used  for  the  meanest  services.  —  cast  my  shoe. 
It  was  considered  the  lowest  menial  office  of  a  servant  to  bear  the 
shoes  of  his  master,  when  he  had  taken  them  off.  Comp.  Matt, 
iii.  11. 

Ps.  LXI. 

This  psalm  is  usually  referred  to  the  time  of  the  rebellion  of 
Absalom.  But  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  psalm  was  composed  by 
David. 

2.  —  the  rock  that  is  high  above  me  :  i.  e.  Grant  me  safety  and 
deliverance,  greater  than  I  can  attain  by  my  own  strength. 

5.  —  And  give  me  the  inheritance^  &c.  :  i.  e.  a  residence  in,  or 
dominion  over,  the  holy  land,  the  land  of  Israel. 

7  —  before  God  :  i.  e.  under  God's  protection  ;  as  it  were, 
under  his  eye. 

Ps.  LXII. 

If  this  psalm  be  a  composition  of  David,  it  may  most  probably  be 
referred  to  the  time  of  Saul's  persecution. 

3.  —  Like  a  bending  wall,  &c. :  i.  e.  with  rude  violence,  and 
with  confidence  of  overthrowing  one  in  so  dangerous  a  condition. 

9.  —  are  vanity,  —  are  a  lie  :  i.  e.  they  disappoint  expectation  ; 
they  cannot  afford  the  help  which  one  needs. 

10.  —  in  extortion  :  i.  e.  in  what  is  obtained  by  extortion ; 
viz.  wealth. 


NOTES.  325 

11.  Once,  —  twice.  The  Hebrew  way  of  expressing  that  a  thing 
is  done  repeatedly.  The  design  is  to  impart  solemnity  and  import- 
ance to  the  truth  declared  in  the  next  line. 

12.  — belongeth  mercy:  i.  e.  not  only  power,  as  in  the  preced- 
ing line,  but  mercy  or  goodness  in  delivering  and  blessing  those 
that  trust  in  thee,  and  in  punishing  their  wicked  enemies. 


Ps.  LXIII. 

2.    Thus,  &c.  i.  e.  With  such  earnest  desire.     — thy  poioer  and 
thy  glory  :  i.  e.  the  symbols  of  them. 

10.  —  a  portion  for  jackals  :  i.  e.  because  they  shall  have  no 
burial. 

11.  —  swear  by  him:  because  it  is  implied  that  they  who  swear 
by  the  true  God  reverence  and  worship  him. 


Ps.  LXIV. 

4.  —  without  fear  :  i.  e.  of  God,  or  of  punishment. 

5.  —  will  see  them  :  i.  e.  the  snares,  and  so  escape  them. 

7.  —  will  shoot,  &c. :  i.  e.  in  the  midst  of  their  secret  plans 
which  no  man  can  detect,  God  shall  discover,  disappoint,  and  de- 
stroy them. 

8.  — Jlee  away:  i.  e.  in  horror  of  their  exemplary  punishment. 


Ps.  LXV. 

This  psalm  contains  nothing  from  which  we  can  infer  with  the 
least  confidence  the  author,  the  occasion,  or  the  time  of  the  com- 
position.     It  is  well  suited  for  public  worship  on  any  occasion. 

8.  —  awed  by  thy  signs  :  i.  e.  the  operations  of  God,  which 
most  clearly  manifest  his  agency,  such  as  are  enumerated  in  the 
following  verses.  — regions  of  the  morning,  &c.  :  i.  e.  the  East 
and  the  West,  the  places  where  the  sun  rises  and  sets. 

9.  —  The  river  of  God,  &c.  i.  e.  The  source  whence  God  sup- 
plies the  rain. 

11.    Tliou  crownest:  i.  e.  makest  it  rich  and  beautiful.     —  drop 
fruitfulness :  i.  e.  wherever  thou  goest,  blessings  spring  up. 
28 


326  NOTES. 


Ps.  LXVI. 


This  psalm  was  evidently  written  after  some  great  national  de- 
liverance. But  whether  it  relates  to  the  time  after  David's  peace- 
able establishment  on  the  throne,  or  to  the  time  after  the  destruc- 
tion of  Sennacherib's  army,  or  to  the  time  after  the  return  ft-om  the 
captivity  at  Babylon,  it  is  difficult  to  decide. 

3.  —  are  suppliants  to  thee:  i.  e.  to  thy  chosen  people,  of  whom 
thou  art  the  supreme  king.     Comp.  xviii.  44. 

11.  —  a  snare:  i.  e.  into  danger  or  distress. 

12.  —  to  ride  upon  our  heads.  This  image  seems  to  be  bor- 
rowed from  a  man  riding  at  full  speed  upon  a  horse,  who  is  sup- 
posed to  lean  forward  over  the  head  of  the  horse. 

17.  —  And  praise  is  now,  &c.  i.  e.  on  account  of  the  deliver- 
ance which  I  have  experienced. 


Ps.  LXVIII. 

From  the  contents  of  this  psalm,  it  seems  probable  that  it  was 
composed  on  the  occasion  of  the  return  of  the  ark  of  the  covenant 
from  some  victorious  war,  and  its  reconveyance  to  Mount  Z'lon. 
See  xlvii.  5,  and  the  note.  Dr.  Geddes  thinks  that  it  may  have 
been  composed  "  after  David's  signal  and  repeated  victories  over 
the  combined  forces  of  the  Edomites,  Ammonites,  and  Syrians, 
when  the  ark  was  brought  back  in  triumph  to  Jerusalem."  See 
2  Sam.  viii.-xii.  I  cannot,  with  De  Wette,  see  any  decisive  traces 
of  a  later  period. 

2.  —  the  wicked.  By  this  term  are  probably  here  denoted  the 
idolatrous  enemies  of  the  Israelites,  who  were  in  general  worship- 
pers of  the  true  God. 

4.    —  Prepare  the   tcay,  &c.      See  Isaiah   xl.   3,  and  the  note. 

—  rideth  through  the  desert.     See  xviii.  10,  and  the  note. 

8.  —  Yea,  Sinai,  &c.  :    literally,  This  Sinai,  &c. 

9.  —  a  plentiful  rain.  This  probably  refers  to  the  miraculous 
supply  of  manna.  —  wearied  inheritance  :  i.  e.  the  people  of 
Israel. 

11.    —  the  song  of  victory :  i.  e.  occasion  for  it  by  giving  victory. 

—  Virgin  minstrels,   &c.  :    more  strictly,   Female  minstrels,  &c. 
Comp.  Exod.  XV.  20,  1  Sam.  xviii.  6. 


NOTES.  327 

13.  —  repose  yourselves  in  the  stalls,  &c.  The  meaning  of  this 
difficult  verse,  which  seems  as  probable  as  any,  is,  that  those  who 
had  been  engaged  in  war  might  now,  on  their  return,  enjoy  peace- 
ful repose  amid  their  flocks  and  herds,  having  enriched  themselves 
with  spoils  of  gold  and  silver.     Comp.  Judg.  v.  16,  Gen.  xlix.  15. 

14.  —  like  Salmon:  i.  e.  when  this  mountain  was  covered  with 
snow. 

16.  JVJnj  frown  ye,  &c.  :  i.  e.  through  envy  on  account  of  the 
peculiar  honor  conferred  upon  Zion. 

17.  The  chariots  of  God,  &c.  A  figurative  description  of  the 
majesty  of  God,  and  his  power  to  deliver  his  people.  —  m  the 
sanctuary.     The  sanctuary  is  here  regarded  as  a  second  Sinai. 

18.  — on  high:  i.e.  upon  Mount  Zion.  Comp.  Ps.  xxiv.,  in 
reference  to  the  conveyance  of  the  ark  of  the  covenant  to  Mount 
Zion  after  a  victory  obtained  by  the  Israelites.  —  received  gifts^ 
&c.  i.  e.  presents  from  conquered  enemies,  who  were  made  to  pay 
tribute.  Comp.  2  Sam.  viii.  6.  —  even  among  the  rebellious :  i,  e. 
among  the  Israelites,  who  had  often  proved  rebellious.  Comp. 
Numb.  XXXV.  34. 

22.  /  will  bring  them  back  :  i.  e.  the  enemies,  as  the  connection 
shows.     Comp.  Amos  ix.  1,  2,  &c. 

26.   — from  the  fountain,  &c. :   i.  e,  who  originate  from  him. 

28.  —  Show  forth  thy  might :  i.  e.  by  continuing  and  strength- 
ening the  power  of  Israel. 

30.  —  wild  beast  of  the  reeds.  This,  at  first  view,  may  seem 
most  naturally  to  refer  to  the  crocodile,  or  the  river-horse,  as  the 
emblem  of  Egypt.  But  as  the  Egyptians  were  not  at  war  with 
the  Israelites,  when  the  psalm  was  probably  written,  and  as  Egypt 
is  mentioned  in  the  next  verse  as  about  to  be  a  worshipper  of 
Jehovah,  Lowth  and  others  have  supposed  the  lion  to  be  referred 
to,  as  the  emblem  of  Syria.  —  bulls  with  the  calves,  &c.  i.  e. 
powerful  nations  and  those  of  inferior  strength  ;  or,  bulls  may  de- 
note commanders,  and  calves,  common  soldiers.  —  masses  of  sil- 
ver, &c.  :  i.  e.  as  a  tribute. 

31.  —  outstretched  hands:  i.  e.  either  in  supplication,  or  in 
bringing  presents  to  the  temple. 

33.  —  ancient  heaven,  &c.  :  i.  e.  which  he  built  and  inhabited 
of  old.     Comp.  xviii.  10. 

34.  —  Whose  majesty,  &c. :  i.  e.  Who  manifests  himself  as  the 
mighty  ruler  of  Israel,  and  who  thunders  in  the  clouds. 

35.  — from  thy  sanctuary.     Comp.  xx.  2. 


328  NOTES. 


Ps.  LXIX. 


From  verses  33-36,  it  seems  highly  probable  that  this  psalm  was 
written  during  the  captivity  at  Babylon.  From  verse  sixth,  it  may 
be  inferred  that  the  author  was  a  prophet,  or  some  person  of  great 
distinction.  Some  suppose  that  the  whole  Jewish  nation  is  repre- 
sented by  the  writer  as  an  individual.  It  appears  to  me  that  liis 
language  would  have  been  different,  had  this  been  his  design. 

4.  —  /  must  restore  what  I  took  not  away.  This  seems  to  be  a 
proverbial  expression  denoting  the  infliction  of  a  penalty,  or  extor- 
tion of  property,  in  relation  to  the  innocent, 

5.  —  thou  knowest  my  offences,  &c.  :  i.  e.  that  I  am  not  an  of- 
fender. This  verse  is  not  a  confession  of  sin,  but  a  protestation  of 
innocence.  The  writer  maintains  that  he  is  a  sufferer,  not  for  his 
sins,  but  for  his  piety.     See  verse  7,  &c. 

6.  —  through  me,  &c.  :  i.  e.  when  I,  thy  pious  worshipper,  am 
seen  to  be  a  prey  to  my  enemies. 

8.  —  a  stranger,  &c. :  i.  e.  on  account  of  being  changed  in  ap- 
pearance through  grief  and  suffering. 

9.  —  consumeth  me  :  i.  e.  proves  my  destruction. 

12.  —  sit  in  the  gate.  It  is  well  known  that  the  gates  of  cities 
in  the  East  were  places  of  public  resort  for  business,  conversation, 
&c.     See  Jahn's  Archseol.  §  180. 

21.  —  gall.  The  meaning  of  the  original  term,  it'XI,  is  alto- 
gether uncertain.  From  the  common  meaning  of  the  term,  as 
denoting  the  head,  Gesenius  conjectures  that  it  was  the  poppy, 
referring  to  papaveris  capita  in  Livy,  Others  suppose  it  was  the 
hemlock. 

22.  May  their  table,  &c.  :  i.  e.  that  in  which  they  find  their  en- 
joyment. 

26.    —  talk  of  the  pain,  &c.  :   i.  e.  in  derision. 
31.    —  bullock  :  i.  e.  offered  in  sacrifice. 


Ps.  LXXI. 

7.  —  a  tconder  to  many :  i.  e.  on  account  of  my  extraordinary 
calamities. 

20.  —  bring  us  back  from  the  depths  of  the  earth:  i.  e.  from  the 
extreme  miseries  in  which  we  are  involved. 


NOTES. 


Ps.  LXXII. 


On  account  of  the  power  and  greatness  ascribed  to  the  king  who 
is  the  subject  of  this  psalm,  some  have  supposed  that  the  Messiah 
is  denoted.  It  appears  to  me,  that,  if  we  make  due  allowance  for 
the  hyperbolical  language  of  Hebrew  poetry,  and  that  which  was 
and  is  applied  to  monarchs  in  the  East,  the  psalm  contains  nothing 
that  the  poet  may  not  have  said  in  reference  to  Solomon,  or  any  other 
Jewish  king.  Comp.  Ixxxix.  The  most  prevalent  opinion  in  the 
Christian  church  has  been,  that  Solomon  is  the  immediate  subject 
of  the  psalm,  and  that  only  in  a  mystical  or  typical  sense  the 
Messiah  is  shadowed  forth.  See  the  caption  of  the  common  version. 
~  1.  —  the  king,  —  the  son  of  a  king.  The  same  person  is  de- 
noted by  both  expressions.  May  the  king,  who  is  also  the  son  of  a 
king,  &c.  The  repetition  is  agreeable  to  the  nature  of  the  Hebrew 
parallelism. 

3.  —  the  mountains  shall  bring  forth  peace,  &c.  Here  the 
mountains  and  the  hills  of  Palestine,  i.  e.  the  whole  land,  are  said 
to  bring  forth  peace  like  the  natural  productions  of  the  earth;  i.  e. 
abundantly. 

6.  —  mown  field.  See  the  note  on  Is.  xxvi.  19. 
8.  — from  sea  to  sea  :  i.e.  from  the  Mediterranean  to  the  far- 
thest known  sea  on  the  east,  namely,  the  Indian  Ocean.  —  the 
river  :  i.  e.  the  Euphrates.  The  meaning  of  the  verse-is,  that  the 
dominion  of  the  great  king  shall  be  unlimited.  Burder  quotes  from 
Mr.  Hugh  Boyd's  account  of  his  embassy  to  Ceylon  a  passage 
which  shows  the  adulation  which  is  paid  to  an  Eastern  monarch, 
liis  courtiers  addressing  him  in  the  language,  "  that  the  head  of 
the  king  of  kings  might  reach  beyond  the  sun  "  ;  "  that  he  might 
live  a  thousand  years,"  &c.  He  also  quotes  from  Davy's  Account 
of  Ceylon  the  following  language,  as  addressed  to  the  king  :  — 
"  Increase  of  age  to  our  sovereign  of  five  thousand  years  1  In- 
crease of  age,  as  long  as  the  sun  and  moon  last !  Increase  of  age, 
as  long  as  heaven  and  earth  exist !  " 

10.  —  Tarshish  in  Spain  is  probably  mentioned  as  the  most  dis- 
tant place  in  the  West,  and  Sheha  in  Arabia,  and  Seba  in  Ethiopia, 
as  the  most  distant  places  in  the  East  and  South. 

16.    —  on  the  tops  of  the  mountains  :  i.  e.  where  corn  might  be 
least  expected  to  grow.     —  shake  like  Lebanon  :  be  tall   and  luxu- 
riant, waving  with  the  wind,  like  trees  on  Mount  Lebanon. 
28* 


3S0  NOTES. 

17.  —  By  him  shall  men  bless  themselves  :  i.  e.  They  shall  say, 
May  God  make  us  as  happy  as  that  great  king  !  "  In  thee  shall 
Israel  bless,  saying,  God  make  thee  as  Ephraim  and  as  Manasseh !  " 
Gen.  xlviii.  20. 

18.  Verses  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  do  not  belong  to  the 
psalm,  but  were  probably  added  by  the  collector  of  Ps.  xlii.  —  Ixxii., 
as  a  doxology  at  the  end  of  his  book.  Verse  twentieth  was  with- 
out doubt  added  by  the  same  person. 


Ps.  LXXIII. 

The  subject  of  this  psalin  is  similar  to  that  of  Ps.  xlix.  It  may 
also  be  compared  with  Ps.  xvi.,  xvii.,  xxxvii.,  xxxix.,  and  the  whole 
book  of  Job.  It  sets  forth  the  exercises  of  a  pious  mind  in  view  of 
the  manner  in  which  happiness  and  misery  are  distributed  in  this 
world;  or  in  view  of  the  prosperit}'  of  the  wicked,  when  compared 
with  the  poet's  own  sufferings.  Notwithstanding  all  the  difficulties 
which  the  subject  presents  to  the  poet's  mind,  he  begins  with  confi- 
dence in  God,  and  ends  with  it.  Spiritual  good,  fellowship  with 
God,  a  sense  of  his  favor,  and  confidence  in  his  guidance  and  bless- 
ing, are  to  him  more  than  a  compensation  for  all  the  outward  pros- 
perity of  the  wicked,  which  is  of  short  duration  and  ends  in  de- 
struction. There  is  the  same  doubt,  whether  the  doctrine  of  im- 
mortality be  contained  in  this  psalm,  as  in  respect  to  Ps.  xlix.  It 
may  be  here  observed,  that  this  psalm,  with  Ps.  xvi.,  xvii.,  xlix., 
contains  the  strongest  intimations  of  this  sentiment  of  any  of  the 
psalms.  If  it  be  not  found  in  these  four,  it  is  found  in  none  of 
them. 

This  psalm,  like  Ps.  xlix.,  may  have  been  composed  in  a  de- 
pressed state  of  the  Jewish  nation,  perhaps  during  the  captivity, 
when  the  author,  with  other  pious  Israelites,  was  suffering  oppres- 
sion from  the  enemies  of  his  nation.  It  is  true,  that  there  was  an 
Asaph,  the  contemporary  of  David  ;  see  2  Chron.  xxix.  30.  But 
nothing  obliges  us  to  consider  that  Asaph  as  the  author. 

1.  —  to  Israel.  This  term  seems  to  be  used  here  for  the  true 
Israel,  the  "pure  in  heart,"  mentioned  in  the  parallel  line.  Comp. 
Is.  xlix.  3,  Romans  ix.  6. 

2.  — gave  foaxj :  i.  e.  I  began  to  doubt  respecting  the  goodness 
and  justice  of  God. 

6.    —  as  a  collar^  or  neck-ornament.     A   lifted   up  or  stiff  neck 


NOTES.  331 

was  with  the  Hebrews  a  sign  of  pride.     Hence  pride  is  said  to  en- 
compass their  necks.     See  Ixxv.  5. 

9.  —  to  the  heavens.  A  strong  h3^perbolical  expression  to  denote 
proud  speaking.     A  similar  one  is  found  in  the  parallel  line. 

10.  —  his  people  :  i.  e.  the  people  of  God.  —  dri?ik  from  full 
fountains :  i.  e.  become  corrupted  by  the  evil  ways  of  the  prosperous 
wicked. 

15.  — to  the  family  of  thy  children:  i.  e.  the  true  Israel,  the 
devoted  worshippers  of  God,  ver.  1. 

17.  —  the  sanctuaries  of  God:  i.  e.  the  holy  places  of  the  temple, 
where  he  sought  the  will  and  purposes  of  God,  and  learned  them. 
Some  suppose  that  by  sanctuaries  of  God  are  denoted  the  recesses  of 
the  divine  mind. 

20.  —  ichen  thou  aicakest,  Sec.  The  Hebrew  verb,  like  the 
English,  being  used  both  in  a  transitive  and  intransitive  sense,  there 
is  here  an  ambiguity.  The  meaning  may  be,  when  thou  aicakest  the 
wicked  from  their  dreatn  of  uninterrupted  prosperity  and  enjoyment, 
or,  in  the  intransitive  sense,  when  thou  awakest  to  action,  or  to  judg- 
ment;  as  in  XXXV.  23.  —  vain  shoic  :  i.  e.  their  unsubstantial  great- 
ness and  prosperity.  The  original  term  is  the  same  which  is  thus 
translated  in  xxxix.  6. 

21.  — pierced  in  my  reins  :  i.  e.  pained  and  vexed,  as  in  the 
parallel  line,  with  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked. 

24.  —  receive  me  with  glory :  i,  e.  receive  me  with  honor  under 
his  protection,  and  set  me  free  from  danger  and  distress.  Comp. 
xlix.  15.  Others  understand  it.  Thou  wilt  receive  me  into  lieaven 
after  death.  But  if  this  were  the  writer's  meaning,  it  is  remarkable 
that  it  is  not  expressed  more  distinctly,  and  that  the  same  sentiment 
is  not  expressed  ofiener  and  more  prominently  in  other  psalms.  It 
is  also  to  be  observed  that  temporal  ruin  seems  in  verse  twenty- 
seventh,  and  other  parts  of  the  psalm,  to  be  contrasted  with  the 
blessedness  of  the  righteous.  If  the  psalm  was  written  during  the 
captivity,  one  cannot  be  confident  that  the  writer  does  not  here  al- 
lude to  the  doctrine  of  the  soul's  immortality;  still  less  can  he  be 
confident  that  he  does  make  such  an  allusion. 


Ps.  LXXIV. 

It  appears  from  the  contents  of  this  psalm,  that  it  could  not  have 
been  written   before  the  desolation  of  the  city  and  temple  of  Jeru- 


3S2  NOTES. 

salem  by  the  Chaldaeans,  and  of  course  it  could  not  have  had  for  its 
author  Asaph,  the  contemporary  of  David.  Some  suppose  that  the 
psalm  refers  to  the  calamities  occasioned  by  Antiochus  Epiphanes, 
as  recorded  in  1  Mace.  ch.  i.  So  Venema  and  RosenmOUer.  This 
seems  the  most  appropriate  reference  on  many  accounts,  nor  do  any 
considerations  in  relation  to  the  completion  of  the  canon  of  Scripture 
forbid  it.  It  is  also  favored  by  verse  ninth,  where  it  is  said,  "  There 
is  no  prophet  among  us."  But  Jeremiah  lived  after  the  destruction 
by  the  Chaldseans.  On  the  other  hand,  if  verses  sixth  and  seventh 
imply  that  the  temple  was  destroyed  and  burned,  they  are  inconsist- 
ent with  the  supposition  that  the  invasion  of  Antiochus  is  referred 
to.  There  is  no  reason  to  believe  that  he  burned  or  destroyed  the 
temple.  RosenmOller  thinks  that  these  verses  only  imply  that  the 
temple  was  injured  by  fire  and  profaned. 

4.  —  Their  oicn  symbols,  &c.  :  i.  e.  The  symbols' of  their  own 
religion,  in  place  of  the  "signs"  of  the  covenant  between  God  and 
us,  namely,  the  sacrifices  and  other  religious  symbols.  See  1  Mace, 
i.  43-59,  Joseph.  Ant.  xii.  5,  4. 

9.    —  our  signs.     See  the  note  on  ver.  4. 

11.  — from  thy  bosom.  "This  word"  says  Roberts,  "  does  not 
always,  in  Eastern  language,  mean  the  breast;  but  often  the  lap,  or 
that  part  of  the  body  where  the  long  robe  folds  round  the  loins. 
Thus,  in  the  folds  of  the  garment,  in  front  of  the  body,  the  Orientals 
keep  their  little  valuables,  and  there,  when  they  are  perfectly  at 
ease,  they  place  their  hands." 

13.  the  sea-monsters,  &c. ;  i.  e.  Pharaoh  and  his  hosts. 

14.  —  the  crocodile  :  the  well-known  emblem  of  Egypt. 

20.  —  thy  covenant :  i.  e.  by  which  thou  didst  promise  the  land 
of  Canaan  to  thy  people.  —  dark  places,  &c. :  i.  e.  caverns,  prob- 
ably, which  abounded  in  Palestine. 

Ps.  LXXV. 

1.  — and  near  is  thy  name  :  i.  e.  upon  our  lips;  we  frequently 
praise  it.  Others  understand  "  thy  name  "  to  be  a  redundant  ex- 
pression for  "  thou,"  and  that  the  meaning  is.  Thou  art  near  us,  or 
helpest  us. 

2.  When  I  see,  &c.  In  verses  2,  3  and  10,  the  Deity  is  intro- 
duced as  speaking;  the  poet  speaks  in  the  remaining  verses.  What 
is  represented  as  said  by  the  Deity  may  have  been  sung  by  a  dif- 
ferent choir,  in  response  to  the  remainder  of  the  psalm. 


NOTES.  333 


Ps.  LXXVI. 

4.  —  mountains  of  robbers,  Slc.  :  i.e.  Thou  hast  displayed  thy 
power  and  glory,  by  enabling  thy  people  to  overcome  the  enemies, 
which  have  occupied  the  fastnesses  in  the  mountains,  and  there  de- 
posited their  prey, 

Ps.  LXXVII. 

3.  I  remember  God,  &c. :  i.  e.  how  kind  he  has  been  in  former 
times,  but  I  Sm  troubled  the  more  when  I  compare  his  former  favor 
with  our  present  misery. 

6.  —  my  songs  in  the  night,  &-c,  :  i.  e.  in  commemoration  of  the 
former  favors  of  God. 

10.  —  ^  change  in  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High :  i.  e.  The 
right  hand  of  the  Most  High,  which  has  been  exerted  in  my  favor 
and  against  my  enemies,  has  been  withdrawn  from  me.  Or  we  may 
translate,  A  change  is  in  the  right  hand,  &c.  :  i.  e.  The  right  hand 
of  God  can  change  my  affliction  into  prosperity.  But  we  might 
have  expected  some  adversative  particle  before  "A  change"  ifec,  if 
the  latter  were  the  meaning. 

16-19.  In  these  verses  the  passage  through  the  Red  Sea  is 
poetically  described. 

17.    —  thine  arroics :  i.  e.  the  lightnings. 

Ps.  LXXVIII. 

There  seem  to  be  no  indications  in  this  didactic  psalm  of  the 
period  in  which  it  was  written.  Only  from  verses  ninth  and  sixty- 
seventh,  we  may  infer,  with  considerable  confidence,  that  it  was  not 
wiitten  till  after  the  separation  of  the  ten  tribes. 

25.    —  the  food  of  princes  :   i.  e.  excellent  food. 

49.  —  A  host  of  angels  of  evil.  It  seems  doubtful,  whether  the 
plagues  of  Egypt  are  here  personified  as  messengers  9f  evil,  or 
whether  personal  angels  are  represented  as  the  ministers  of  God  in 
producing  these  plagues.  The  latter  supposition  is  most  agreeable 
to  the  representation  of  the  later  Jewish  writers. 

50.  —  made  a  icay,  &c.  :   i.  e.  gave  it  free  course. 

57.  — like  a  deceitful  bow:  i.  e.  which  sends  the  arrow  in  a 
false  direction,  so  that  it  does  not  hit  the  mark. 


334  NOTES. 

58.    — high  places :  i.e.  places  of  worship  for  idols. 

61.  —  his  strength — his  glory:  i.  e.  the  ark  of  the  covenant. 
See  1  Sam.  iv.  21,  22. 

63.  —  did  not  bewail  them  :  i.  e.  in  the  midst  of  the  general  ter- 
ror and  calamity,  they  had  no  time  to  give  to  the  customary  lamenta- 
tions for  the  dead. 

72.    He  fed  them  :  i.  e.  ruled  over  them. 

Ps.  LXXIX. 

This  psalm  seems  to  have  been  written  on  the  same  occasion  as 
Ps.  Ixxiv. 

2.    — food  for  the  birds,  &c.      See  ver.  3. 

11.  —  appoi?ited  to  die:  i.  e.  destined  to  death  by  their  enemies, 
literally,  sons  of  death. 

Ps.  LXXX. 

This    psalm    seems  to    contain    nothing    which    determines    the 
calamitous  time  in  which  it  was  composed. 
^hushan-Eduth.     See  note  on  the  caption  of  Ps.  Ix. 

I.  —  sittest  between  the  cherubs.  This  may  mean  that  God  sits 
or  rides  on  a  throne  borne  by  living  cherubs.  Comp.  xviii.  10, 
and  the  note.  Or  it  may  refer  to  the  images  of  cherubs  which  were 
over  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  where  God  was  supposed  to  manifest 
himself     See  Exod.  xxv.  22. 

5.  —  bread  of  tears:  i.  e.  grief  comes  daily,  while  in  conse- 
quence of  our  affliction  we  forget  to  take  our  ordinary  food. 

II.  — the  sea :  the  Mediterranean.     —  the  river  :  the  Euphrates. 
13.    The  hoar,  &c.     This  is  to,  be  considered   as  a  part  of  the 

imagery.     We  need  not  inquire  who  is  denoted  by  the  boar. 

15.  —  madest  strong  for  thyself :  i.  e.  raised  up  to  be  a  great 
nation  to  accomplish  thine  own  purposes. 

16.  —  they  j)erish  :  i.  e.  the  Israelites. 

17.  —  over  the  man,  &c. :  i.  e.  the  people  of  Israel  collectively. 

Ps.  LXXXI. 

—  the  Gittith  :  a  musical  instrument  of  the  nature  of  the  lyre, 
deriving  its  name  from  MJ    to  strike. 


NOTES.  335 

5.  —  language  ichich  he  knew  not.  Comp.  cxiv.  i.  In  the 
original  there  is  a  change  in  the  pronoun,  which  it  is  not  well  to 
imitate  in  English. 

6.  — from  the  hod  :  i.  e.  something  used  in  carrying  bricks  or 
mortar.  But  it  appears,  from  the  use  of  the  word  in  other  passages, 
to  have  been  more  like  a  basket  than  a  modern  hod. 

7.  —  in  the  secret  place  of  thunder^  &c.  :  i,  e.  enveloped  in 
the  dark  thunder-cloud.  Comp.  xviii.  11,  Nahum  i.  3,  Ex.  xiv. 
24,  25. 

10.  —  Open  wide,  &c.  :  i.  e.  I  will  satisfy  your  desires  of  good, 
however  large  they  may  be. 


Ps.  LXXXII. 

1.  —  ?iis  holy  assembly:  literally,  the  assembly  of  God:  i.  e.  the 
assembly  of  Israel,  of  which  God  was  the  supreme  king.  Other- 
wise, the  assembly  of  the  angels.  —  in  the  midst  of  the  gods :  i.  e. 
kings,  or  earthly  magistrates.     Otherwise,  angels. 

2.  — favor  the  cause,  &c.:  i.  e.  be  influenced  in  your  judgment 
by  the  outward  condition  of  the  parties  rather  than  by  the  merits  of 
the  case. 

5.  — foundations,  &c. :  i.  e.  the  land  is  threatened  with  ruin. 

6.  —  said.  Ye  are  gods :  i.  e.  exalted  you  far  above  the  condition 
of  common  men,  to  one  resembling  that  of  God,  by  investing  you 
with  yoiir  dignity,  as  kings  or  magistrates. 


Ps.  LXXXIII. 

I.  —  keep  not  silence  :  i.  e.  hear  our  prayer. 

3.  —  thy  chosen  ones  :  literally,  thy  hidden  ones ;  i.  e.  hidden,  as 
it  were,  in  God's  house. 

9.  —  to  the  Midianites.  See  Judges,  ch.  vii.  —  Sisera,  —  Ja- 
bin,  &c.     See  Judges,  ch.  iv. 

II.  See  Judges,  vii.  25,  viii.  5,  &c. 

12.    —  God's  habitations:  i.  e.  the  land  of  Palestine. 


Ps.  LXXXIV. 

This  psalm,  which  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  Ps.  xlii.  ind 


336  NOTES. 

xliii.,  may  have  been  composed  on  the  same    or  a  similar  occa- 
sion. 

3.  The  very  sparroio,  &c.  By  this  language  the  poet  expresses 
the  hardship  of  his  own  condition,  when  prevented  by  exile  or  a 
similar  hindrance  from  visiting  the  temple  of  God. 

5.  —  In  whose  heart  are  the  ways,  &c.  :  i.  e.  Who  loves  the  ways 
which  lead  to  the  house  of  God. 

6.  —  through  the  valley  of  Baca,  &c.  Baca  was  probably  a  dry, 
barren,  desolate  valley,  a  vale  of  tears,  or  of  weeping,  according  to  the 
primary  meaning  of  the  term.  But  they  who  had  their  hearts  set  on 
Jerusalem  and  the  temple  would  pass  through  it  as  joyfully  as  if  it 
were  filled  with  streams.  Or,  Wherever  they  go,  blessings  accom- 
pany them. 

7.  — from  strength  to  strength :  i.e.  they  shall  continually  in- 
crease in  strength. 

9.  —  of  thine  anointed:  i.  e.  the  king  of  the  nation.  In  praying 
for  the  nation,  the  poet  does  not  forget  to  pray  for  the  king. 

Ps.  LXXXV. 

8.  I  will  hear,  &c.  The  poet,  having  made  his  prayer,  represents 
himself  as  listening  to  the  voice  of  Jehovah,  as  to  an  oracle,  and 
receiving  a  favorable  answer. 

10.  Mercy  and  truth.  Sec.  The  whole  verse  means  that  mercy, 
fidelity,  righteousness,  and  prosperity  shall  flourish  and  abound 
where  they  have  been  wanting;  the  representation  being  drawn 
from  the  meeting  of  friends  who  have  been  long  absent. 

11.  Truth  shall  spring  out  of  the  eurth,  &c.  The  meaning  of 
this  verse  is  commonly  supposed  to  be,  that  truth  or  uprightness 
shall  flourish  among  men  like  plants  that  spring  out  of  the  earth, 
and  that  the  righteousness,  i.  e.  the  mercy,  of  God  will  be  mani- 
fested in  blessings  upon  the  righteous  community.  But  it  may  be 
doubted  whether  the  poet  intended  to  express  any  other  idea  than 
the  universal  prevalence  of  truth  and  righteousness,  representing  the 
one  as  springing  out  of  the  earth  like  plants,  and  the  other  as  show- 
ing itself  in  the  skies  like  the  sun. 

13.  Righteousness  shall  walk  before  him,  &c.  The  meaning 
seems  to  be,  that  men  shall  walk  uprightly  before  God,  and  go  on 
steadily  in  their  course.  The  opposite  sentiment  occurs  in  Is. 
lix.  14. 


NOTES.  337 


Ps.  LXXXVII. 

This  psalm  is  illustrated  by  those  passages  in  Isaiah  winch  pre- 
dict a  time  when  the  religion  of  Jehovah,  made  known  to  the 
Israelites,  shall  be  the  religion  of  the  world.     See  Is.  ch.  ii.  xi.  xix. 

1.  Her  foundation  :  i.  e.  that  of  the  city  of  God,  Jerusalem,  ver.  3, 
or  that  of  Zion,  ver.  1,  regarded  as  the  representative  of  Jerusalem. 

4.  /  name  Egypt,  &c.  Jehovah  is  here  introduced  as  speaking. 
—  They  also  were  horn  there:  i.  e.  The  inhabitants  of  Egypt, 
Babylon,  &c.,  shall  be  regarded  as  citizens  of  Jerusalem,  professing 
the  religion  and  acknowledging  the  government  of  the  nation  chosen 
by  God.  The  same  thoughts  are  expressed  in  the  next  two  verses, 
in  which  the  poet  is  the  speaker. 

7.  Singers  as  well  as  dancers,  &c.  The  meaning  seems  to  be, 
that  all  the  ministers  of  joy,  of  which  singers  and  dancers  are  men- 
tioned as  an  example,  and  all  the  springs  or  sources  of  happiness 
are  to  be  found  in  Jerusalem,  the  capital  city  of  the  world,  "  the  joy 
of  the  whole  earth." 

Ps.  LXXXVIII. 

This  psalm  is  most  generally  supposed  to  have  been  written  in  the 
time  of  the  captivity.  But  it  does  not  seem  to  afford  sufficient  indi- 
cation that  it  was  designed  to  express  the  afflicted  condition  of  the 
whole  Jewish  nation,  as  some  critics  have  supposed.  The  terms 
Mahalath  Leannoth,  which  appear  in  the  inscription  in  the  common 
version,  mean  to  he  sung  to,  or  accompanied  with,  wind  instruments. 

7.  —  all  thy  waves.     Comp.  xlii.  7,  and  the  note. 

8.  —  I  am  shut  up:  i.  e.  by  calamity,  distress,  &c.,  as  by  prison 
walls. 

10.  -  12.  The  meaning  seems  to  be,  Do  good  to  me  now,  while 
I  am  in  life  ;  for  after  1  am  dead,  there  will  be  no  opportunity  fur  it. 
Comp.  vi.  5.  —  place  of  corruption,  —  land  of  forgetful 7iess  : 
i.  e.  Sheol,  the  common  receptacle  of  all  the  dead.  See  Job  xxviii. 
22. 

Ps.  LXXXIX. 

As  this  psalm  contains   no  allusion   to  the  destruction  of  the  city 
and  temple  of  Jerusalem,  it  was  probably  written  in  some  calamitous 
29 


338  NOTES. 

period  of  the  Jewish  nation  before  the  captivity.  But  whether  it 
was  written  by  Hezekiah,  or  by  some  one  for  him,  or  after  the  de- 
feat and  death  of  Josiah,  or  at  some  other  period,  there  seem  to  be 
no  sufficient  means  of  ascertaining. 

5.  The  heavens^  &c. :  i.  e.  The  inhabitants  of  heaven,  the  angels, 
as  appears  from  the  parallel  line. 

6.  —  sons  of  God:  i.  e.  inhabitants  of  heaven,  angels. 

8.  —  is  round  about  thee  :  i.  e.  encircles  thee  ;  is  the  element  in 
which  thou  dost  exist. 

10.  Rahab :  a  significant  appellation  of  Egypt,  referring  to  her 
pride  and  fierceness,  as  of  a  huge  sea-monster. 

12.  —  Tahor  and  Herman.  One  being  in  the  West  and  the  other 
in  the  East  from  the  place  where  the  poet  wrote,  these  mountains 
are  probably  used  to  denote  the  West  and  the  East,  as  is  made  prob- 
able by  the  parallelism.  —  rejoice  in  thy  name:  i.  e,  in  thee,  as 
their  Creator,  according  to  the  parallelism. 

15.  —  know  the  trumpet' s  sound :  i.  e.  calling  them  to  the  festivals, 
offerings,  &c.  See  Levit.  xxiii.  24,  Numb.  x.  10.  —  in  the  light 
of  thy  countenance :  i.  e.  shall  enjoy  thy  favor.     Comp.  iv.  6, 

17.  —  lift  up  our  heads  :  i.  e.  are  confident,  courageous,  victo- 
rious. 

18.  —  our  shield:  i.  e,  our  king,  as  in  the  parallel  line.  Comp. 
ver.  3,  4. 

19.  —  in  a  vision,  &c.     See  2  Sam.  vii.  4-17. 

24.  — through  my  name  :  i.  e.  through  me.  — his  head:  liter- 
ally, his  horn. 

25.  I  will  extend  his  hand  :  i.  e.  his  power,  dominion.  By  "the 
sea"  and  "the  rivers,"  the  Mediterranean  and  the  Euphrates  are 
probably  denoted. 

27.  —  my  first-born.  This  phrase  is  well  explained  by  the 
parallel  line.  All  kings,  according  to  the  conceptions  of  the  He- 
brews, might  be  called  sons  of  God.  See  Ixxxii.  6.  An  emi- 
nent king  of  Israel,  distinguished  above  other  kings,  would,  accord- 
ing to  the  same  phraseology,  be  called  the  first-born  son  of  God. 

37.  —  Like  the  faithful  witness,  &c.  :  i.  e.  the  moon,  as  in  the 
parallel  line.  The  moon,  by  its  everlasting  duration,  would  be  a 
good  witness  of  the  divine  fidelity  in  the  performance  of  his  promise. 
Others  suppose  the  rainbow  to  be  denoted. 

38.  The  poet  now  contrasts  with  the  great  promises,  which  have 
been  recited,  the  present  condition  of  the  nation,  when  its  king,  one  of 


NOTES.  339 

the  successors  of  David,  was  deprived  of  his  throne,  or  had  lost  his 
power. 

47.  —  To  what  frailty^  &.c.  The  poet  urges  the  shortness  of 
life  as  a  reason  why  God  should  show  mercy  speedily,  before  the 
opportunity  should  pass  away. 

50.   —  thereproach  of  thy  servants  :  i.  e.  the  Israelites. 

Ps.  XC. 

If  the  title  of  this  psalm  be  correct,  it  was  w^ritten  by  Moses  in 
view  of  the  calamities,  and  especially  the  peculiar  waste  of  life,  in 
the  passage  through  the  wilderness,  and  is  illustrated  by  Numb.  ch. 
xiv.  But  it  is  the  opinion  of  some  eminent  critics,  such  as  Grotius, 
Kennicott,  Geddes,  and  others,  that  the  psalm  was  rather  com- 
posed in  the  time  of  the  captivity.  Whichever  supposition  be 
adopted,  the  reader  must  remember  that  it  was  written  in  peculiar 
circumstances  of  calamity,  and  that  parts  of  it  do  not  apply  to  all 
men  in  all  conditions. 

3.  —  to  dust.     See  Gen.  ill.  19. 

4.  —  a  watch  in  the  night.  The  Hebrews  in  the  more  ancient 
times  divided  the  night  into  three  watches  ;  in  the  time  of  Christ, 
into  four.  A  watch  in  the  night,  therefore,  denotes  the  space  of  three 
or  four  hours. 

9.  —  like  a  thought :  i.  e.  as  swiftly  as  a  thought  passes  the  mind. 
A  similar  expression  occurs  in  the  Greek  poet  Theognis, 

"  Ai'ipa  wots  roJiua  TcuQi^/srai  aY?.aog  i^§tj.^* 

10.  — the  pride  of  them:  i.e.  that  of  which  they  can  be  most 
proud  ;  the  best  and  most  flourishing  part  of  them,  to  which  we  attach 
the  greatest  value. 

11.  —  thine  anger,  &c. :  i.  e.  which  is  manifested  in  the  vanity 
and  shortness  of  life. 

12.  —  to  number  our  days  :  i.  e.  to  consider  how  few  they  are. 

13.  Desist:  i.  e.  from  thine  anger.  Exod.  xxxii.  12.  — How 
long ;  i.  e.  wilt  thou  be  angry  ?     Comp.  vi.  3,  and  the  note. 

16.    —  thy  deeds:  i.  e.  of  mercy  to  us. 

Ps.  XCI. 

1.    —  sittcth  under  the  shelter,  &c.  :   i.  e.   he  wlio  resorts  to  God 


340  NOTES. 

by  faith,  trust,  and  holy  communion.     —  Makcth  his  abode,  &c. :  i.  e. 
shall  find  protection. 

8.  —  only  behold  :  i.  e.  thou  shalt  look  on,  in  perfect  security, 
while  punishment  is  inflicted  on  the  wicked. 

9.  —  thy  refuge.  In  the  Hebrew,  my  refuge.  Hence  the 
Septuagint  translates  the  line,  Because  thou,  O  Lord,  art  my  refuge; 
supposing  that  a  different  person,  or  singer,  was  to  recite  it.  I  can- 
not think  the  couplet  was  intended  to  be  divided  in  this  way. 
Whether  the  conjecture  of  Lowth*  is  to  be  adopted,  or  some  ac- 
cidental change  of  the  person  of  the  pronoun  on  the  part  of  the 
writer  is  to  be  supposed,  I  believe  that  I  have  given  the  true  mean- 
ing of  the  verse. 

Ps.  XCIV. 

This  psalm  seems  to  have  been  composed  in  a  season  of  national 
calamity.  Some  refer  it  to  the  time  of  the  captivity  ;  others  to  that 
of  the  tyranny  of  Antiochus  Epiphanes. 

10.  He  that  chastiseth  nations :  He  that  brings  punishment  and 
ruin  on  whole  nations,  shall  he  not  punish  your  oppressors  in 
particular? 

11.  —  That  they  are  vanity  :  i,  e.  that  men  are  vanity,  or  weak, 
without  power  to  accomplish  their  proud  purposes. 

15.  — judgment  shall  return  to  justice,  Olc.  :  i.  e.  however  much 
the  judgments  of  God  may  seem  to  depart  from  justice,  while  the 
wicked  prosper  and  the  righteous  are  afflicted,  they  shall  at  last 
return  to  a  strict  conformity  to  it,  so  that  all  the  upright  shall  ap- 
prove of  them. 

20.    —  throne  of  iniquity,  &c.     Comp.  1  Mace.  ch.  i. 

23.  —  their  own  iniquity  :  i.  e.  the  destruction  which  they  plotted 
against  others. 

Ps.  XCV. 

This  psalm  seems  to  have  been  composed  to  be  used  in  the  public 
worship  of  God,  and  perhaps  on  some  festival  occasion,  such  as  that 
of  the  feast  of  tabernacles. 

3.    —  over  all  gods :  i.  e.  all  the  pretended  gods  of  the  Gentiles. 

7.    — flock  of  his  hand  ;  i.  e.  which  his  hand  leadeth. 


♦  L«cture  XXVI 


NOTES.  341 

8.  The  Supreme  Being  is  now  introduced  as  speaking.  —  Meri- 
bah.      See  Exod.  xvii.  7. 

11.  — I  sware,  &c.  See  Numb.  xiv.  21-23,  xxxii.  10,  &c. 
—  my  rest :  i.  e.  the  land  which  I  had  destined  for  their  resting- 
place. 

Ps.  XCVI. 

This  psalm  corresponds  to  a  part  of  one  which  is  recorded  in 
1  Chron.  ch.  xvi.,  as  having  been  sung  on  a  different  occasion.  Per- 
haps it  was  used  on  the  dedication  of  the  second  temple,  after  the 
return  from  the  captivity  at  Babylon.  It  is  entitled  in  the  Septua- 
gint  version,  "  An  ode  of  David,  sung  when  the  house  of  God  was 
built,  after  the  captivity." 

6.    —  his  holy  abode:  i.  e.  in  heaven.     See  cii.  19. 

11  -  13.  The  whole  creation  is  called  upon  to  rejoice  on  account 
of  the  coming  of  Jehovah  to  reign.  But  as  Jehovah  is  at  all  times 
the  ruler  of  the  world,  his  coming  to  reign  must  be  understood  in  a 
peculiar  sense,  and  this  sense,  according  to  the  conceptions  of  a 
Jewish  poet  of  that  age,  can  be  no  other  than  that  of  the  extension 
of  the  Hebrew  theocracy  over  the  heathen  nations.  God  would 
judge  tlie  world,  when  the  heathen  nations  were  punished  through 
tile  Jews,  were  brouglu  under  their  dominion,  and  adopted  their 
religion,  having  renounced  their  own  false  gods.  Comp.  ii.,  Ixxxvii., 
Jxxxix.,  xcvii.;  ex.,  and  various  passages  in  the  prophets. 

Ps.  XCVII. 

2.    Clouds,  &c.     Comp.  xviii.  11,  Ixxxix.  14. 

6.  The  heavens,  &c.  :  i.  e.  The  whole  universe,  the  heavens  and 
the  earth,  acknowledge  and  proclaim  him  the  righteous  and  terrible 
judge.    Comp.  1.  6. 

7.  —  all  ye  gods,  &c.  The  connection  shows  that  heathen  gods 
are  denoted.  Though  they  have  no  real  existence,  they  are  figura- 
tively represented  as  bowing  down  before  the  majesty  of  Jehovah. 
Comp.  Numbers  xxxiii.  4.  The  inability  of  the  heathen  gods  to 
protect  the  nations  which  worshipped  them  is  probably  alluded  to. 
Comp.  Is.  ch.  xlvi. 

11.  Light  is  soicn,  &c.  Though  prosperity  may  be  absent  for  a 
time,  like  seed  which  is  hidden  in  the  ground,  yet  in  due  time  it 
shall  spring  up  like  seed. 

29* 


342  NOTES. 


Ps.  C. 


3.  —  It  is  he  that  made  us^  &c.  In  this  connection,  these 
words  probably  refer  not  so  much  to  the  fact  that  God  created  all 
mankind,  as  to  that  of  his  having  constituted  the  Jews  a  people,  and 
framed  their  national  polity.     Comp.  cxlix.  2,  Deut.  xxxii.  6. 

Ps.   CI. 

1.  —  of  goodness  and  justice:  i.  e.  which  it  is  my  resolution  to 
practise,  rewarding  the  good  and  punishing  the  wicked. 

2.  —  JVheji  thou  shah  come  tome:  i.  e.  to  prove  me.  Otherwise, 
When  wilt  thou  come  to  me?   i.  e.  to  bless  me. 

3.  —  before  my  eyes^  &c.  I  will  not  propose  to  myself  any 
wicked  scheme. 

6.  —  dwell  icith  me  :  i.e.  as  my  ministers  and  counsellors,  as  is 
intimated  in  the  parallel  line. 


Ps.  CII. 

6.  —  like  the  pelican  :  i.  e.  I  take  no  delight  in  society,  but  seek 
for  solitary  places  like  the  pelican.  —  like  the  owl  :  i.  e.  in  my 
doleful  lamentations.  Some  think  the  pelicanus  onocrotalus  is 
denoted  ;  a  meaning  which  is  favored  by  the  etymology  of  the 
Hebrew  term. 

7.  —  a  solitary  bird  :  referring  probably  to  some  bird  of  night, 
like  the  owl,  in  reference  to  the  writer's  sleeplessness,  mentioned  in 
tlie  preceding  line. 

8.  —  curse  by  me  :  i.  e.  in  imprecating  curses  either  upon  them- 
selves or  upon  others,  they  refer  to  me,  as  an  example  of  extreme 
misery.      Comp.  Jer.  xxix.  22,  Is.  Ixv.  15, 

9.  —  ashes  like  bread,  &c. :  through  grief,  I  lie  down  in  ashes  and 
neglect  to  take  my  food.     See  xlii.  3,  Job  ii.  8,  Ezek.  xxvii.  30. 

10.  —  lifted  me  up,  &c.  This  may  mean,  that  he  was  lifted  up 
as  by  a  whirlwind,  in  order  to  be  dashed  to  the  ground  ;  or,  that  he 
was  raised  to  an  exalted  station,  and  then  cast  down  from  his  emi- 
nence.    Perhaps  the  first  is  preferable. 

11.  — a  declining  shadow:  i.  e.  which  continually  becomes 
fainter  and  fainter,  and  soon  vanishes  away.     Comp.  cix.  23. 


NOTES.  843 

13.  —  the  set  time,  &,c.     Comp.  Jer.  xxv.  12,  13,  xxix.  10. 

14.  — in  her  stones  :  i,  e.  her  scattered  stones  and  her  solitary 
dust  are  more  precious  to  thy  worshippers  than  the  goodliest  palaces 
in  Babylon. 

16.  —  in  his  glory.  The  meaning  may  be,  that  he  shall  be 
worshipped  with  the  ancient  ceremonies  upon  Zion,  which  seems  to 
be  favored  by  the  parallel  line ;  or,  that  the  glorious  power  and 
goodness  of  God  shall  be  manifested  in  behalf  of  Israel. 

17.  —  the  destitute  :  i.  e.  the  Israelites,  as  a  people. 

18.  This  shall  be  written  :  i.  e.  the  interposition  of  God  in  de- 
livering his  people  and  building  up  Zion. 

20.  —  doomed  to  death  :  a  figurative  expression,  denoting  the 
threatened  extinction  of  the  Jewish  nation  and  name. 

22.  When  the  nations  are  assembled,  &c.  When  the  Jewish 
nation,  after  the  return  from  exile,  shall  have  extended  its  dominion 
and  its  religion  over  the  nations  of  the  world.  See  the  note  on 
xcvi.  11,  &c..  Is.  xlv.  14,  Ixi.,  Joel  iii. 

23.  —  bij  the  way  :  i.  e.  of  life,  the  passage  through  life. 

24.  —  Thy  years  endure,  &c.  The  unchangeableness  and 
eternity  of  God  seem  to  be  introduced  with  reference  to  the  thought 
expressed  in  ver.  28,  namely,  that  Israel  should  yet  abide  before  God 
in  the  promised  land. 

Ps.  cm. 

5.  —  like  the  eagle's.  "  It  has  been  a  popular  opinion,  that  the 
eagle  lives  and  retains  its  vigor  to  a  great  age  ;  and  that,  beyond  the 
common  lot  of  other  birds,  it  moults  in  its  old  age,  renews  its 
feathers,  and  is  restored  to  youthful  strength  again.  Whether  the 
notion  is  in  any  degree  well  founded  or  not,  we  need  not  inquire. 
It  is  enough  for  a  poet,  whether  sacred  or  profane,  to  have  the 
authority  of  popular  opinion  to  support  an  image  introduced  for  il- 
lustration or  ornament.  See  Isaiah  xl.  31.  Aristot.  Hist.  Animal., 
Lib.  IX.,  c.  33.  Plin.  Nat.  Hist.,  Lib.  X.,  c.  3.  Horus  Apollo, 
Lib.  II.,  c.  92."     Harris. 

12.  — our  transgressions:  i.  e.  the  punishment  due  for  our 
transgressions. 

14.    —  our  frame:   i.  e.  of  what  materials  we  are  formed. 

21.  —  Ye,  his  ministers,  &c.  :  i.e.  his  ministering  spirits  in 
heaven,  angels. 


344  NOTES. 


Ps.  CIV. 


1-4.  Tlie  imagery  is  borrowed  from  tlie  splendor  of  Oriental 
monarchs,  setting  forth  how  far  Jehovah  surpasses  them  in  those 
things  in  which  their  magnificence  is  usually  displayed,  namely,  in 
robes,  tents,  palaces,  chariots,  and  servants. 

3.  —  on  the  waters  :  i.  e.  the  waters  above  the  firmament,  and 
which  rest  upon  it  as  a  solid  support.  See  Gen.  i.  7.  These 
waters  above  the  firmament  are,  as  it  were,  the  foundation  of  the 
dwelling-place  of  God.  —  clouds  his  chariot.  Comp.  xviii.  11, 
xxix.  3. 

4.  —  winds  his  messengers,  &c.  He  makes  the  winds  and  light- 
nings, which  bid  defiance  to  human  control,  to  obey  and  serve  him, 
as  if  endowed  with  intelligence.     Comp.  cxlviii.  8,  Job  xxxviii.  35. 

6,  8.    Comp.  Gen.  i.  2,  9. 

11.  —  the  wild  asses:  i.e.  which,  being  very  wild,  and  living  in 
liie  most  solitary  deserts,  might  be  thought  specially  liable  to  suffer 
from  the  want  of  water. 

13.    — fruit  of  thy  icorks  :  i.  e.  of  the  clouds. 

16.  Tlie  trees  of  the  Lord,  &c. :  i.  e.  The  wild  trees  of  the  forest, 
which  were  not  planted  by  man  and  receive  no  culture  from  him. 

18.  —  the  jerboas.     See  the  note  on  Prov.  xxx.  26. 

19.  —  to  mark  seasons,  &c.  See  Gen.  i.  14,  Ecclesiasticus 
xliii.  6,  7. 

26.  —  the  leviathan,  &c.  In  Job  xli.  1,  &c.,  the  leviathan 
denotes  the  crocodile.  But  the  term  was  probably  applied  to  other 
huge  sea-monsters. 

30.  —  thy  spirit,  &c.  Comp.  xxxiii.  6,  Gen.  ii.  7,  Eccles.  xii.  7, 
Job  xxxiii.  4. 

32.  —  it  tremhleth,  &c.  Earthquakes  and  volcanoes  may  be 
alluded  to  in  this  verse. 

Ps.  CV. 

The  first  fifteen  verses  of  this  psalm  are  a  part  of  the  hymn  said 
to  have  been  given  by  David  to  the  singers,  on  the  removal  of  the 
ark  to  Zion,  which  is  contained  in  1  Chron.  ch.  xvi.  It  is  tlie  con- 
jecture of  Daihe,  that  some  poet,  after  the  return  from  the  captivity 
at  Babylon,  adapted  these  fifteen  verses,  with  an  addition  of  his  own, 
to  the  dedication  of  the  second  temple ;  as  the  same  or  some  con- 


NOTES.  345 

temporary  poet  had  adapted  another  fragment  of  the  same   hymn, 
namely,  Ps.  xcvi.,  to  a  similar  purpose.      De  Wette  supposes  the 
hymn  in  Chronicles  to  have  been  compiled  from  the  Psalms. 
11.    —  the  lot^  &c.  :  i.  e.  the  assigned  portion  of  the  earth. 

14.  —  rebuked  kings,  ifec.     See  Gen.  xii.  17,  xx.  3-7. 

15.  — anointed, — prophets,  Sec.  :  i.  e.  Abraham  and  the  pa- 
triarchs. 

19.  —  the  word  of  the  Lord,  «fec.  :  namely,  that  which  Joseph 
uttered  respecting  the  future. 

25.  He  turned  their  hearts,  &c.  The  more  God  blessed  the 
Israelites  and  increased  their  numbers,  the  greater  was  the  jealousy 
of  the  Egyptians,  which  at  length  settled  into  confirmed  hatred. 
The  Hebrews  were  accustomed  to  attribute  to  the  direct  agency  of 
God  what  took  place  under  his  permission,  foresight,  and  provi- 
dence.    Comp.  Matt.  vi.  13. 

32.    — flaming  fire  :  i.  e.  lightning. 

34.  — Destructive  locusts,  &.C.  Undoubtedly  a  species  of  locust, 
different  from  that  in  the  preceding  line,  is  denoted.  The  Hebrew 
term  comes  from  a  root  signifying  to  lick  up,  or  devour. 

37.    —  silver,  &c.      See  Exod.  oh.  xii. 

40.    —  Iread  of  heaven :  i.  e.  the  manna. 

44.    —  the  labor  :  i.  e.  the  fruits  of  the  labor. 


Ps.  CVI. 

3.  — practise  righteousness  at  all  times.  The  general  sentiment 
of  this  verse  is  probably  expressed  with  reference  to  the  unhappy 
condition  of  the  Jewish  nation  in  consequence  of  their  wickedness. 

5.  —  thy  chosen  :  i.  e.  the  Israelites,  called  the  inheritance  of 
God  in  the  next  line  but  one. 

7.   _  rebelled,  &c.     See  Exod.  xiv.  11,  12. 

12,  —  sang  his  praise.     See  Exod.  xv.  1,  &c. 

13,  —  waited  not  for  his  counsel :  i.  e.  did  not  wait  patiently  to 
see  what  were  the  designs  of  God,  and  how  he  would  accomplish 
them. 

14,  15.    See  Numb.  ch.  xi. 
16,  17.    See  Numb.  ch.  xvi. 
19.    See  Exod.  ch.  xxxii. 

23.  —  in  the  breach.  This  figurative  expression  refers  to  the 
breach   made   by  an  enemy  in  the  walls  of  a  fortified  city.     One 


346  NOTES. 

stands   in  the  breach  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  enemy,  and 
preventing  the  destruction  of  the  city.    See  Exod.  ch.  xxxii.,  xxxiii. 
24.    See  Numb.  ch.  xiii.,  &c. 

27.  Comp.  Numb.  xiv.  28-30,  Lev.  xxvi.  33,  Deut.  ch.  xxviii. 

28.  —  Baal-peor.     See  Numb.  ch.  xxv. 
32.    See  Numb.  ch.  xx.,  Deut.  i.  37. 

36.  —  they  became  :  i.  e.  the  heathen.  —  a  snare  :  i.  e.  caused 
their  ruin. 

37.  —  to  demons.  So  the  Septuagint  translates  the  term  D'"1B^, 
in  this  verse  and  in  Deut.  xxxii.  17.  From  the  etymology  of  the  term, 
we  may  infer,  perhaps,  that  it  denotes  malignant  spirits  ;  but  it  is 
not  necessary  to  suppose  that  precisely  the  same  notions  were 
entertained  of  demons  in  the  time  of  this  composition,  as  in  that  of 
the  New  Testament.  The  worship  of  Moloch  is  probably  re- 
ferred to. 

39.  — played  the  harlot :  i.  e.  left  the  true  God,  to  worship  false 
gods.     —  with  their  practices  :  i.  e.  the  practices  of  the  heathen. 


Ps.  CVII. 

In  this  national  psalm  of  thanksgiving,  the  reader  will  observe 
the  art  of  the  poet  in  dividing  it  into  strophes,  or  divisions,  closing 
with  a  form  of  thanksgiving,  as  the  burden  of  the  song.  In  verses 
1-3  the  subject  is  stated,  and  then  follow  the  strophes,  closing 
with  verses  8,  9  ;  15,  16  ;  21,  22  ;   31,  32  ;  43. 

4.  —  in  a  solitary  desert.  This  may  refer  to  the  literal  fact, 
that  many  of  the  Jews  fled  from  the  Chaldaeans  through  the  desert 
to  Egypt,  &c.  ;  or  it  may  be  a  figurative  expression,  referring  to 
the  miseries  of  exile. 

10.  —  darkness  and  the  shadoic  of  death  :  i.  e.  in  the  profound 
darkness  of  a  gloomy  dungeon.  —  in  affliction  and  iron.  This 
may  be  a  hendyadis  for  afflictive  iron;  or  the  meaning  may  be, 
that  they  were  bound  by  their  affliction,  no  less  than  by  heavy 
chains.  Perhaps  the  language  of  the  whole  verse  figuratively  de- 
scribes the  misery  of  the  exile  in  Babylon. 

20.    —  sent  his  tcord  :  i.e.  commanded. 

25  —  27.  The  classical  reader  may  be  pleased  by  comparing  with 
this  description  of  a  storm  that  of  Ovid,  Trist.,  Lib.  I.,  Eleg.  2  :  — 


NOTES.  347 

"  Me  miserum,  quanti  monies  volvuntur  aquarura  ! 

Jamjam  tacturos  sidera  summa  putes. 
Quantae  diducto  subsidunt  aequore  valles  I 

Jamjam  tacturas  tartara  nigra  putes. 
Rector  in  incerto  est,  nee  quid  fugiatve  petatve 
Invenit;  ambiguis  ars  stupet  ipsa  malis." 

33-36.  This  language  seems  to  have  special  reference  to  the 
depopulation  of  Palestine,  and  the  subsequent  restoration  of  the 
Jews. 


Ps.   CIX. 

If  this  psalm  was  written  by  David,  the  curses  contained  in  it 
have  probable  reference  to  his  enemies  at  the  court  of  Saul.  Re- 
specting these  imprecations,  see  pp.  14-18.  The  following  re- 
marks of  the  Rev.  Dr.  French,*  Master  of  Jesus  College,  Cambridge, 
England,  and  Mr.  Skinner,  a  Fellow  of  the  same  College,  agree 
very  well  with  mine,  though  I  cannot  think  that  the  spirit  even  of 
the  Jewish  religion  fully  justifies  these  imprecations:  —  "It  may 
be  observed,  with  reference  to  the  imprecations  found  particularly 
in  this  psalm,  and  in  Ps.  Ixix.,  that  the  morality  which  they  breathe 
does  not  ill  accord  either  with  the  general  character  of  the  Mosaic 
dispensation,  or  with  the  state  of  religious  knowledge  to  which  the 
Jewish  nation  had  attained.  The  love  of  our  enemies  was  a  duty 
first  distinctly  and  positively  inculcated  by  the  divine  Author  of  the 
Christian  fiith.  This  pure  and  sublime  doctrine  did  not  form  a 
part  of  the  law  delivered  to  the  Jews,  because  of  '  the  hardness  of 
their  hearts.' 

"  Let  it  not  be  urged,  that  it  would  have  been  better,  if  the 
sacred  volume  had  nowhere  exhibited  the  '  holy  men,'  who  were 
of  old,  thus  betraying,  even  in  their  intercourse  with  God,  a  deep 
resentment  of  the  unprovoked  injuries  which  they  were  continually 
suffering  from  the  wicked.  These  very  passages  of  Scripture  con- 
vey an  useful  and  a  very  important  lesson.  For  they  teach  Chris- 
tians, in  the  most  forcible  manner,  the  value  of  those  preeminent 
advantages  which  are  enjoyed  by  them  under  the  gospel." 

6.  —  a  wicked  man  over  him  :  i.  e.  as  a  judge  to  hear  his  cause. 
—  over  him.     This  may  refer  to  the  principal   enemy  of  David,  or 

*  See  the  note  on  this  psalm,  in  their  "New  Translation/'  <fcc. 


348  NOTES. 

possibly  to  his  enemies  collectively,  as  the  plural  occurs  in  verse 
fifteenth.  —  an  adversary^  &c. :  i.  e.  to  accuse  and  plead  against 
him  in  court. 

7.  —  his  prayer^  &c.  There  is  some  doubt,  whether  this  ex- 
pression denotes  a  petition  for  pardon  to  a  human  judge,  or  prayer 
to  God.  The  parallel  line  favors  the  former  supposition  ;  the  use 
of  the  word  translated  prayer  in  other  passages,  the  latter. 

8.  -^-  take  his  office  :  i.  e.  which  is  vacated  by  his  death. 
16.    —  the  poor  man,  &c.  :  such  as  the  poet, 

23.  — shadoic.  See  the  note  on  cii.  11.  —  cast  out  as  a  lo- 
cust. An  image  of  destruction,  drawn  from  locusts,  which  are  driven 
by  winds,  or  by  noises,  fires,  «&c.,  made  by  men,  from  the  fields 
into  the  water  or  waste  places. 

31.    —  at  the  right  hand,  &c.  :  i.  e.  as  his  advocate. 


Ps.  ex. 

The  difficulties  relating  to  particular  portions  of  ihis  psalm  have 
been,  in  good  measure,  removed  by  modern  investigation.  But  it 
is  still  an  unsettled  question  among  critics,  who  is  the  principal  sub- 
ject of  the  psalm,  or  who  is  meant  by  "  my  lord,"  in  the  first  line, 
—  "Jehovah  said  to  my  lord,"  or,  more  literally,  "  The  oracle,"  or 
"solemn  declaration,  of  Jehovah  to  my  lord."  There  are  three 
opinions  upon  the  subject. 

I.  Christian  interpreters  generally,  until  within  a  comparatively 
recent  period,  have  supposed  Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  person  addressed 
in  the  first  line,  and  that  the  psalm  predicts  in  figurative  language 
his  glorious  condition  after  his  resurrection,  and  the  triumphs  of 
him  and  his  religion  over  all  opposition.  In  favor  of  this  opinion 
it  is  alleged,  that  David  is  said  in  the  Jewish  inscription  to  be  the 
author  of  the  psalm,  and  of  course  could  not  acknowledge  a  com- 
mon Jewish  king  as  his  lord.  But  especially  the  use  made  of  the 
psalm  by  our  Saviour,  in  Matt.  xxii.  43-45,  and  by  the  Apostles, 
in  Acts  ii.  34,  1  Cor.  xv.  25,  Heb.  i.  13,  x.  13,  is  urged  as  decisive 
of  the  question.  Some  expressions  in  the  psalm  are  also  said  to  be 
more  applicable  to  Jesus  Christ  than  to  a  common  Jewish  king. 
In  illustration  of  these  views,  see  Christian  commentators  gen- 
erally. 

II.  Some  modern  critics,  such  as  RosenmUller  and  Kuinoel, 
and  some  Jewish  critics  in  ancient  and  modern  times,  have  sup- 


NOTES.  349 

posed  the  future  Messiah,  according  to  the  Jewish  conceptions  of 
him,  to  be  the  subject  of  the  psalm  ;  while  they  maintain  that  its 
representation  of  him  as  a  temporal  king,  a  warrior,  a  conqueror,  and 
shedder  of  blood,  is  inconsistent  with  any  thing  which  we  know  of 
Jesus  of  Nazareth. 

III.  Other  critics,  such  as  Herder,*  Geddes,  De  Wette,  and 
Ewald,  maintain  that  the  psalm  relates  to  a  Jewish  king,  living  in 
the  time  of  the  writer, —  either  David  or  some  other  Jewish  king  ; 
and  that  it  expresses  the  sanguine  hopes  of  some  Jewish  poet  in 
favor  of  his  sovereign,  whom  he  is  disposed  to  eulogize  in  the  lan- 
guage of  exaggeration  which  was  commonly  applied  to  Eastern 
monarchs.  In  behalf  of  this  opinion,  it  is  urged,  that  the  ascription 
of  the  psalm  to  David,  as  its  author,  by  some  unknown  hand,  is  of 
little  or  no  weight,  when  it  is  considered  that  several  of  the  titles 
of  the  psalms  must  be  acknowledged  to  be  erroneous;  that  the  first 
line  of  it  evidently  supposes  the  person  who  is  called  "my  lord" 
to  be  living  on  earth  in  the  time  of  the  writer,  and  cannot  refer  to 
the  distant  future  ;  and  finally,  that  the  attributes  of  a  common 
Jewish  king  are  all  which  the  writer  does  in  fact  express  in  the 
language  which  he  has  used.  In  regard  to  the  use  made  of  the 
psalm  by  Christ  and  the  Apostles,  it  is  also  said,  that  they  may 
have  argued  ex  concessis,  i.  e.  from  the  acknowledged  opinions  of 
their  opponents  or  contemporaries,  without  vouching  for  their  cor- 
rectness ;  or  that  they  may  have  made  use  of  the  language  of  the 
psalm  to  express  ideas  for  which  it  was  not  originally  designed  ; 
or  that  their  inspiration  did  not  extend  to  matters  of  criticism  and 
interpretation. 

Without  going  into  a  discussion  of  the  difficult  subjects  connected 
with  the  question  of  the  application  of  the  psalm,  I  shall  endeavour 
to  give  the  meaning  of  its  language  according  to  what  must  have 
been  the  conceptions  of  the  writer, 

1.  —  Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand:  i.  e.  Be  associated  with  me  in 
the  government  of  my  people  ;  Be  next  in  honor  to  me.  The  lan- 
guage is  borrowed  from  a  king  commanding  his  son  to  sit  with  him 
on  his  throne.  Comp.  1  Kings  i,  13,  17.  Jehovah  was  regarded 
as  the  supreme  king  of  the  Jewish  nation,  and  Mount  Zion  as  the 
seat  of  his  government.  Thus,  in  cxlix.  2,  "Let  the  sons  of  Zion 
be  joyful   in  their  king!"   cxxxiv.  3,  "May  the  Lord,  who  made 


*  Spirit  of  Hebrew  Poetry,  Vol.  II.,  p.  282,  &c.,  Amer.  transl. 

30 


350  NOTES. 

heaven  and  earth  bless  thee  out  of  Zion  !  "  cxxxv.  21,  "  Praised  bo 
the  Lord  out  of  Zion,  he  that  dwelleth  in  Jerusalem  !  "  cxxxii.  13, 
"  For  Jehovah  hath  chosen  Zion  ;  he  hath  desired  it  as  his  dwelling- 
place."  Jehovah  being  thus,  in  a  peculiar  sense,  the  supreme 
king  of  Israel,  the  throne  of  Judea  was  called  the  throne  of  Jeho- 
vah, see  1  Chron.  xxix  23  ;  and  the  human  king  of  Israel  is  said  to 
sit  on  the  throne  of  Jehovah,  i.  e.  at  the  right  hand  of  Jehovah,  the 
supreme  king  of  Israel,  as  his  vicegerent,  participating  in  the  gov- 
ernment of  his  people.  So  in  Zech.  xiii.  7,  "Awake,  O  sword, 
against  my  shepherd,  even  against  my  fellow,  saith  Jehovah  of 
hosts."  A  common  appellation  of  kings  in  ancient  times  was  that 
of  shepherds;  and  Jehovah  being  regarded  as  the  supreme  king 
of  Israel,  his  shepherd  or  earthly  king  is  styled  the  fellow  or 
associate  of  Jehovah  in  the  government  of  his  people.  To  be  the 
fellow  or  associate  of  Jehovah  amounts  to  the  same  thing  as  to  sit 
upon  his  right  hand.  In  Josephus,  VI.  11,  9,  Jonathan  is  said  to 
sit  on  the  right  hand  of  the  king,  and  Abner  on  the  left.  Roberts, 
who  was  a  missionary  in  Hindostan,  says,  —  "The  host  always 
places  a  distinguished  guest  on  his  right  hand,"  RosenmUller  quotes 
from  an  ancient  history  of  Arabia  :  —  "  The  Radaf,"  i.  e.  the  one 
second  in  rank  to  the  king,  "sits  at  his  right  hand."  The  lan- 
guage, "  Sit  thou  at  my  right  hand,"  amounts  to  the  same  thing  as 
that  in  ii.  7,  "Thou  art  my  son,"  «fec.,  on  which  see  the  note. 
—  thy  footstool :  i.  e.  completely  subdue  them.  See  Josh.  x.  24,  25. 
The  particle  until  does  not  imply  that  the  king  was  not  to  sit  at  the 
right  hand  of  God  after  his  enemies  were  subdued.  The  expres- 
sion is  similar  to  that  which  we  use  when  we  say,  "  I  hope  you 
will  be  well,  or  behave  well,  till  I  return."     See  1  Tim.  iv.  13. 

2.  —  in  the  midst  of  thine  enemies :  i.  e.  shalt  control  them,  have 
thetn  in  subjection. 

3.  —  he  ready :  i.  e.  prompt  to  go  to  war  with  thee.  —  when  thou 
musterest  thy  forces  :  literally,  in  the  day  of  thy  host.  — in  holy 
splendor:  i.e.  equipped  in  the  best  or  choicest  manner.  So  the 
Median  soldiers  are  called  "  sanctified  ones,"  i.  e.  set  apart  for  the  war 
against  Babylon,  Is.  xiii.  3.  So  in  Jer.  vi.  4,  "  Sanctify  war  against 
her,"  li.  27.  —  like  dew,  &c.  :  i.  e.  numerous  as  the  drops  of 
morning  dew.  Perhaps  at  the  same  time  their  freshness  may 
have  been  had  in  view. 

4.  — a  priest  for  ever:  i.  e.  during  thy  whole  life.  Comp. 
Exod.  xxi.  6,  Deut.  xv.  17,  1  Sam.  i.  22,  and  the  note  on  xlv.  6. 
The  greatness  of  the  promise  consists  in  the  circumstance,  that  the 


NOTES.  351 

sanctity  of  the  priest  would  be  united  with  the  dignity  of  the  king 
in  the  great  personage  to  whom  it  is  given  ;  thus  making  him  in  a 
higher  degree  the  object  of  the  divine  care  and  favor.  Comp, 
Zech.  vi.  13.  —  the  order  of  Mehhisedeck  :  i.  e.  in  the  same  way 
as  Melchisedeck  united  the  dignity  of  a  priest  and  a  king.  See 
Gen.  xiv.  18. 

5.  The  Lord  is  at  thy  right  hand.  To  be  at  one's  right  hand  is 
not  the  same  thing  as  to  sit  at  one's  right  hand.  It  means,  to  be 
one's  defender,  ready  to  assist  him.  See  xvi.  8,  cxxi.  5.  I  under- 
stand, therefore,  The  Lord,  as  denoting  the  Supreme  Being,  and 
that  the  king  who  is  the  subject  of  the  psalm  is  here  addressed. 
Otherwise,  with  a  change  of  the  vowel-points,  the  line  might  be 
rendered,  My  lord  at  thy  right  hand,  [O  Jehovah,]  shall,  &c. 

7.  He  shall  drink  of  the  brook,  &c.  Here,  I  suppose,  by  a  sudden 
change  of  person,  which  is  not  uncommon  in  Hebrew  poetry,  (see 
civ.  9,  10,)  the  king,  who  was  addressed  by  the  poet  in  verse  fifth, 
is  here  introduced  in  the  third  person,  as  pursuing  his  enemies,  and 
as  refreshing  and  strengthening  himself  for  such  pursuit  by  drink- 
ing water  from  a  brook  which  he  finds  in  the  way. 

I  have  thus,  without  entering  into  an  examination  of  various 
opinions,  given  what  seems  to  me  the  literal  meaning  of  the  lan- 
guage of  the  psalm.  Whether  the  warrior-king  whom  it  describes 
is  to  be  regarded  as  a  temporal  king  of  Israel,  or  only  as  an  image 
or  type  of  Christ  in  his  triumphant  state  in  heaven,  the  language 
being  understood  in  a  figurative  or  in  a  mystical  sense,  is  a  question 
which  must  be  decided  in  view  of  all  the  considerations  which 
were  glanced  at  in  the  introduction  to  the  notes  on  this  psalm. 


Ps.  CXI. 

This  is  one  of  the  alphabetical  psalms,  in  which  each  half-verse 
begins  with  a  different  letter,  according  to  the  order  of  the  Hebrew 
alphabet.     See  p.  47,  &c. 

1.  —  society,  —  congregation,  &c. :  i.  e.  of  righteous  Israelites, 
assembled  in  the  temple. 

2.  —  Sought  out,  &c, :  i.  e.  as  being  worthy  of  regard  and  ad- 
miration. 

4,  —  a  memorial,  &c.  :  i.  e.  in  his  dealings  with  the  Israelites, 
as  recorded  in  their  history, 

9.    —  redemption,  &c.  :  i.  e.  from  Egyptian  slavery. 


352  NOTES. 


Ps.  CXII. 

This  is  an  alphabetical  psalm  of  the  same  kind  as  the  last.  See 
the  remarks  on  Ps.  i. 

3.  —  His  righteousness  shall  endure:  i.  e.  The  consequences  or 
reward  of  it. 

4.  —  He  is  gracious^  &c.  It  is  doubtful,  whether  this  is  said  of 
the  righteous  man,  or  of  God.  From  verse  fourth  of  the  last  psalm, 
which  seems  to  have  had  the  same  author  as  this,  the  last  is  the 
probable  meaning. 

9.  —  His  horn,  &c.  An  emblem  of  power  and  authority,  bor- 
rowed from  animals  whose  strength  was  in  their  horns. 


Ps.  CXIV. 

In  this  psalm,  the  subject  of  which  is  the  deliverance  of  the 
Israelites  from  Egyptian  bondage,  the  principal  idea  is,  that  all  ob- 
stacles, even  those  presented  by  nature  itself,  must  give  way  before 
the  power  of  Jehovah.  "  This  psalm,"  says  Herder,  "  is  one  of 
the  finest  odes  in  any  language.  The  abrupt  brevity  with  which 
each  particular  is  expressed,  the  astonished  admiration  ascribed  to 
the  sea,  to  the  Jordan,  to  the  mountains  and  hills,  and  repeated  in 
the  interrogatory  form,  the  sublime  explanation,  that  it  all  pro- 
ceeded from  a  single  glance  of  Jehovah,  who  looked  upon  them 
from  the  clouds,  a  look  which  converted  rocks  and  stones  to  streams 
and  living  fountains,  —  all  these  give  us,  in  the  compass  of  this  little 
ode,  the  substance  of  a  long  description."  It  may  have  been  de- 
signed for  the  celebration  of  the  feast  of  the  passover. 
/  2.  —  his  sanctuary  :  i.  e.  the  people  set  apart,  and,  as  it  were, 
consecrated,  to  be  his  peculiar  people.  — his  dominion  :  .i.  e.  the 
people  of  which  he  was  king  in  a  peculiar,  theocratic  sense. 


Ps.  CXV. 

This  psalm  seems  to  have  been  composed  when  the  nation  was 
in  distress,  or  in  great  danger,  on  account  of  foreign  enemies.  But 
it  is  idle  to  undertake  to  conjecture  the  particular  occasion  of  it. 

1.    J^ot  unto  usj  &c. :  i.  e.   Help  and  deliver  us,  if  not  on  our 


NOTES.  355 

own  account,  yet  on  account  of  the  honor  of  thy  own  name,  and  of 
thy  promises  to  the  patriarchs.     Comp.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  22. 

8.    —  like  unto  them  :  i.  e.  equally  without  power  and  worthless. 

17.    The  dead  praise  not,  &c.     See  the  note  on  vi.  5. 


Ps.  CXVI. 

There  have  been  many  conjectures  in  relation  to  the  time  and 
occasion  of  the  composition  of  this  psalm.  On  account  of  some 
Chaldee  idioms  which  occur  in  it,  I  think  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Ham- 
mond tlie  most  probable,  namely,  that  it  was  written  by  some  pious 
Israelite  after  the  return  from  the  captivity  at  Babylon. 

3.  —  pains  of  the  underworld.  The  literal  meaning  probably  is, 
straits  of  the  underworld.  The  meaning  of  the  whole  verse  is,  that 
the  writer  was  in  imminent  danger  of  death. 

7.  Return  —  to  thy  rest,  &c. :  i.  e.  Be  again  tranquil,  after  thy 
anxiety  and  agitation. 

9.  — walk  before  the  Lord:  i.  e.  aiming  to  serve  him  and  do 
his  will. 

10.  /  had  trust,  &c. :  i.  e.  I  did  not  cease  to  place  confidence 
in  God. 

11.  —  All  men  are  liars:  i.  e.  disappoint  the  hopes  that  are 
placed  in  them.      All  reliance  on  human  aid  is  vain. 

13.  —  the  cup  of  salvation,  &c.  :  i.  e.  of  thanksgiving  for  the  de- 
liverance which  I  have  obtained  from  God.  It  seems  to  have  been 
customary,  after  offering  a  sacrifice  for  some  great  deliverance,  to 
make  a  feast,  at  which  the  host  would  take  a  cup  of  wine,  and, 
having  partaken  of  it,  pass  it  round  to  his  guests.  Comp.  Matt, 
xxvi.  27, 

16.  —  the  son  of  thy  handmaid:  i.  e,  thy  servant  or  slave,  as  in 
the  parallel  line.  The  children  of  a  female  slave  belonged  of  right 
to  her  master. 

Ps.  CXVIII. 

This  psalm  was  probably  composed  to  be  sung  on  the  occasion  of 
the  deliverance  of  some  king  of  Israel  from  the  dangers  of  war. 
Different  parts  of  it  were  probably  to  be  performed  by  separate 
choirs  of  singers,  representing  the  king,  the  priests,  and  the  people. 
The  author  and  the  date  of  the  composition,  as  well  as  the  particu- 
30* 


354  NOTES. 

lar  king  who  is  the  subject  of  it,  are  wholly  unknown.  It  ia 
probable,  however,  that  it  was  composed  after  the  erection  of  the 
temple,  and  of  course  was  not  a  production  of  David.  Some  apply 
the  psalm  to  Hezekiah,  after  his  deliverance  from  sickness,  and  from 
the  invasion  of  Sennacherib.  Some  suppose  that  it  was  sung  at 
the  dedication  of  the  second  temple,  after  the  return  from  the  cap- 
tivity ;  some,  that  it  relates  to  the  time  of  the  Maccabees,  when 
Simon  was  made  governor  of  the  Jews  ;  see  1  Mace.  ch.  xiii.,  xiv. 
Another  opinion  is,  that  it  is  not  an  individual,  but  the  whole 
people  of  Israel  personified,  that  is  introduced  as  giving  thanks  for 
deliverance.  We  cannot  find  in  the  psalm  sufiicient  reasons  to 
justify  this  view.  In  the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah,  and  in  Isaiah, 
ch.  xl.  — Ixvi.,  there  appears,  however,  to  be  such  a  personification  of 
the  Jewish  people.  But  some  indications  in  the  particular  passage 
in  which  such  a  use  of  language  is  maintained  seem  necessary  to 
justify  the  opinion.  Some  of  the  ancient  Jews,  perhaps  those  who 
lived  in  the  time  of  Christ,  regarded  the  psalm  as  prophetic  of  the 
Messiah,  and  some  suppose  that  Christ  and  the  Apostles  regarded 
it  as  such.  See  Matt.  xxi.  42,  Acts  iv.  11.  But  the  most  common 
opinion  of  interpreters  is,  that  those  verses  are  quoted  only  by 
way  of  accommodation,  or  rhetorical  illustration,  or,  at  least,  are 
applied  to  Jesus  in  a  mystical,  not  a  literal,  sense. 

13.    Thou  didst  assail,  &c.     An  address  to  his  enemy. 

19.  —  the  gates  of  righteousness :  so  called  because  the  righteous 
enter  them  for  worship. 

22.  The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected,  &c.  :  i,  e.  He,  whose 
claims  were  disregarded  and  despised  by  the  chief  men  of  the  nation, 
has  now  attained  to  the  highest  dignity  among  his  people.  As  was 
intimated  in  the  introduction  to  this  psalm,  history  does  not  seem 
to  supply  us  with  the  means  of  determining  who  is  meant  by  the 
stone  which  the  builders  rejected.  Venema  and  RosenmUller  refer 
it  to  Simon,  whose  history  is  recorded  in  1  Mace.  ch.  xiii.,  xiv.; 
De  Wette  and  Tholuck  to  the  whole  Jewish  people. 

24.  —  which  the  Lord  hath  made :  i.  e.  so  happy  and  dis- 
tinguished. 

26.  —  that  Cometh  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  This  language 
seems  to  be  more  applicable  to  a  prince  than  to  the  whole  people. 

27.  —  to  the  horns  of  the  altar  :  i.  e.  in  order  to  be  sacrificed. 


NOTES.  355 


Ps.  CXIX. 

This  is  another  of  the  alphabetical  psalms,  but  of  a  different  struc 
ture  from  any  of  the  preceding.  It  is  divided  into  as  many  sections, 
of  eiglit  verses  each,  as  tliere  are  letters  in  the  Hebrew  alphabet, 
namely,  twenty-two,  —  all  the  lines  of  the  first  section  beginning 
with  the  first  letter  of  it,  Aleph,  of  the  second  with  Beth,  and  so 
to  the  last  in  the  order  of  the  alphabet.  From  the  structure  and 
character  of  the  psalm,  it  is  generally  supposed  to  have  been  writ- 
ten in  the  later  period  of  the  Jewish  nation. 

19.  I  am  a  stranger^  &c.  As  a  stranger  wandering  in  a  foreign 
land  feels  the  need  of  the  guidance  of  friends,  so  man,  a  stranger  in 
the  earth,  needs  the  guidance  of  God. 

25.  —  to  the  dust :  i.  e.  of  death.  See  the  parallel  line,  and 
xxii.  15. 

26.  I  have  declared  my  icays,  &c. :  i.  e.  I  have  made  known  to 
thee  my  affiiirs,  my  purposes,  my  condition,  and  my  dangers,  and 
sought  thine  aid. 

32.  —  enlarge  my  heart :  i.  e.  increase  my  intelligence ;  see 
1  Kings  iv.  29;  or,  grant  me  deliverance  from  trouble.  See 
Is.  Ix.  5. 

42.  —  him  that  reproachcth  mc  :  i.  e.  on  account  of  n)y  reliance 
on  thee. 

43.  —  takenot  the  icord  of  truth,  &c.  :  i.  e.  do  not  deal  with  me 
so  that  I  shall  be  ashamed  to  mention  thy  word  or  thy  promise,  in' 
which  I  have  often  gloried,  respecting  the  deliverance  which  thou 
givest  to  the  righteous,  and  the  punishment  which  thou  inflictest  on 
the  wicked. 

54.  —  have  been  my  song  :  i.  e.  the  subject  of  my  song  or  re- 
joicing. —  house  of  my  pilgrimage.  This  expression  may  refer  to 
the  exile  in  Babylon,  or  to  human  life  in  general. 

56.    —  as  my  otcn :  i.  e.  my  peculiar  happiness. 

79.  —  turn  unto  me:  i.  e.  unite  themselves  witii  me  and  rejoice 
in  my  deliverance.     See  ver.  74. 

83.  —  a  bottle  in  the  smoke  :  which,  being  made  of  skins,  became 
shrivelled  by  smoke. 

84.  How  many  are  the  days,  &c.  :  i.  e.  How  short  is  my  life. 
89.    —  like  the  heavens.     Comp.  Jer.  xxxi.  35,  36,  Luke  xxi.  33. 
91.    They  continue:  i.  e.  the  heavens  and  the  earth. 

108.  — free-will  offerings  &c. :  i.  e.  my  prayer,  which  I  freely  offer. 


356  NOTES. 

118.  —  their  deceit  is  vain  :  i.  e.  tlieir  deceitful  plans  shall  be 
unsuccessful,  and  disappoint  iheir  expectations. 

127.    Therefore  :  i.  e.  Because  I  am  thy  servant ;  ver.  125. 

139.    Ml/  zeal  consumeth  me  :  i.  e.  I  burn  with  indignation. 

142.  —  everlasting  righteousness  :  i.  e.  never  to  be  dispensed 
with,  or  made  void. 

148.  —  anticipate  the  night-watches,  &c. :  i.  e.  I  am  awake  be- 
fore the  watchmen  announce  the  night-watches,  and  need  no  warn- 
ing from  them. 

Ps.  CXX. 

It  seems  probable  that  this  psalm  was  composed  by  one  living  in 
exile,  though  not  in  Mesech  and  Kedar ;  for  these  places  were  at 
an  immense  distance  from  each  other.  Mesech  was  a  barbarous 
country  in  the  North,  between  Iberia,  Armenia,  and  Colchis;  and 
Kedar  was  a  district  in  Arabia.  The  terms  are  used  figuratively  to 
denote  barbarous  countries,  as  we  should  speak  of  living  among 
Turks  or  Hottentots.  For  what  may  be  said  on  the  appellation, 
"  A  psalm  of  steps,''  which  is  given  to  this  and  the  fourteen  follow- 
ing psalms,  see  p.  26. 

3.  —  what  advantage,  Sic.  The  sense  of  the  verse  is,  that  the  de- 
ceitful tongue  does  not  profit,  but  rather  injures,  him  that  em- 
ploys it. 

4.  —  Like  coals  of  the  juniper  :  which  was  thought  by  the  ancients 
to  have  great  heat,  and  to  retain  it  long.  See  Harris's  Nat.  Hist.,  p. 
237,  &c.  But  there  is  great  reason  to  doubt  whether  the  juniper  is 
the  plant  referred  to  in  this  passage.  It  is  more  probable  that  the 
broom  is  the  plant  denoted,  the  Arabic  name  of  which,  according 
to  Dr.  Robinson,  is  the  same  as  the  Hebrew,  and  the  roots  of  which 
are  regarded  by  the  Arabs  as  yielding  the  best  charcoal.  See  Ges. 
Thesaur.  on  Dii"^,  and  Robinson's  Biblical  Researches  in  Palestine, 
Vol.  I.,  p.  299.  I  retain  the  term  juniper  instead  of  broom  from 
rhetorical  considerations. 

Ps.  CXXI. 

This  psalm  seems  to  have  been  composed  by  a  poet  who  was 
exiled  from  Jerusalem,  if  not  from  Palestine.  If  written  by  David, 
it  may  refer  to  the  time  of  the  rebellion  of  Absalom. 

1.    —  to  the  hills :  i.  e.  of  Palestine,  on  which  God,  as  the  king 


NOTES.  357 

of  Israel,  was  regarded  as  having  his  peculiar  abode.     Comp.  xiv. 
7,  cxxxv.  21,  cxxxiv.  3,  1  Kings  viii.  42-44. 

6.  —  J^or  the  moon  by  night.  We  have  no  evidence,  except 
what  is  implied  in  this  passage,  that  the  Jews  ascribed  any  noxious 
influences  to  the  moon.  Perhaps,  therefore,  the  verse  may  mean 
nothing  more  than  that  no  injury  should  be  received  by  day  or  by 
night.  It  is  not  impossible,  however,  that  injury  received  from 
passing  the  night  in  the  open  air  may  have  been  ascribed  to  the 
moon. 

Ps.  CXXII. 

It  is  not  probable  that  this  psalm  was  written  by  David.  See 
ver.  3  and  5. 

3.  — joined  together:  i,  e.  wholly  built  up,  without  vacant 
spaces. 

Ps.  CXXV. 

It  appears  from  verse  third,  that  this  psalm  was  composed  at  a 
time  when  Palestine  was  oppressed  by  foreign  enemies,  or  in  great 
danger  from  them. 

3.  —  the  portion  of  the  righteous  :  i,  e.  the  land  of  Israel.  See 
cv.  11.  —  Lest  the  righteous,  &c.  :  i.  e.  Lest  the  Jews  be  tempted 
by  idolatrous  oppressors  to  renounce  the  worship  and  service  of 
Jehovah. 

5.  —  their  crooked  ways :  i.  e.  of  the  heathen  oppressors,  or  evil- 
doers, mentioned  in  the  next  line. 


Ps.  CXXVI. 

1.  —  that  dream:  i.  e.  we  could  scarcely  believe  our  senses,  that 
so  great  and  glorious  an  event  had  taken  place. 

4,  —  Lihe  streams  in  a  dry  land.  The  streams  in  hot  countries, 
especially  in  the  southern  deserts,  dry  up  in  the  summer  months, 
but  return  after  the  periodical  rains.  See  the  note  on  Job  vi.  15,  &c. 
The  land  of  Palestine  deprived  of  its  inhabitants  during  the  cap- 
tivity might  be  compared  to  one  of  these  deserts  forsaken  by  its 
streams;  and  the  return  of  the  exiles  in  crowds  to  their  native  land 
might  be  compared  to  torrents  of  water  returning  in  the  season  of 
rain. 


358  NOTES. 

5,6.  These  verses  are  well  paraphrased  by  Patrick.  "Then 
this  small  handful  of  people,  who  are  come  to  plant  themselves  here 
again,  and  have  laid  the  foundation  of  the  temple  with  a  great 
mixture  of  sadness  and  tears,  Ezra  iii.  12,  shall  shout  for  joy  to  see 
so  great  an  increase,  and  this  pious  work  by  their  help  brought  unto 
perfection  ;  just  as  we  behold  the  poor  husbandman,  going  to  and  fro 
with  a  little  seed,  which  in  a  scarce  year  he  throws  with  a  heavy 
heart  into  the  ground,  returning  again  and  again  from  the  field  with 
songs  of  joy  in  his  mouth,  when  the  harvest  comes  to  reward  his 
past  labors  with  a  plentiful  crop  of  corn." 


Ps.  CXXVII. 

1.  —  build  the  house,  &c.  There  seems  no  good  reason  for  re- 
ferring this  to  the  temple.  The  expression  is  rather  proverbial, 
referring  to  houses  in  general. 

2.  —  bread  of  care:  i.  e.  earned  by  anxious  labor.  —  in  sleep. 
This  is  an  hyperbolical  expression  to  denote  that  what  others  aim  to 
gain  by  wearisome  efforts  God  gives  to  the  righteous  without  any 
such  painstaking,  as  it  were,  while  they  sleep.  Comp.  Matt.  vi. 
34.  Probably  nothing  more  is  expressed  than  the  sentiment  of 
verse  first,  namely,  that  without  the  blessing  of  God  nothing  prospers. 

5.  —  enemies  in  the  gate.  The  meaning  may  be,  that  they  shall 
destroy  the  enemy  in  the  gate  of  their  own  city,  or  that  they  shall 
invade  the  cities  of  a  foreign  nation.    Comp.  Gen.  xxii.17,  xxiv.  60. 


Ps.  CXXVIII. 

2.  —  eat  the  labor  :  i.  e.  the  fruits  of  the  labor,  &c.  Thou  shall 
not  sow  and  another  reap.    Comp.  Lev.  xxvi.  16,  Deut.  xxviii.  33. 

3.  — fruitful  vine.  The  fruitfulness  of  the  vine  is  the  only  point 
of  comparison.  —  within  thy  house  :  where  the  customs  of  the  East 
required  the  matron  to  be  a  great  part  of  the  time. 

5.    —  out  of  Zionj  &c.     See  the  note  on  ex.  1. 


Ps.  CXXIX. 

This  psalm,  which    recounts   the  many    past   afflictions    of  the 


NOTES.  359 

Jewish  nation,  and  the  deliverances  which  God  had  afforded  it,  and 
closes  with  imprecations  against  its  enemies,  was  probably  written 
soon  after  the  return  from  the  captivity. 

2.  — from  my  youth  .-i.e.  from  the  time  of  the  bondage  in  Egypt. 
Comp.  Hos.  ii.  15,  xi.  1. 

3.  — ploughed  up,  &c.  A  figurative  expression  to  denote  stripes, 
and  this  to  denote  oppression  in  general. 

4.  —  cut  asunder  the  cords:  i.  e,  delivered  from  servitude. 

6.  —  grass  upon  the  house-tops.  The  roofs  of  the  houses  being 
flat  and  often  covered  with  earth,  grass  would  spring  up  on  them,  but 
would  soon  perish  with  the  heat  of  the  sun.  See  Jahn's  Archaeol. 
§  34. 

8.  —  The  blessing,  &c.  This  appears  to  have  been  a  usual 
salutation  in  time  of  harvest.     See  Ruth  ii.  4. 


Ps.  CXXX. 

This  psalm  appears  to  have  been  written  by  one  who  was  suffer- 
ing, in  common  with  his  countrymen,  under  the  pressure  of  some 
great  national  calamity.  No  period  seems  more  suitable  for  such  a 
prayer  than  the  time  of  the  captivity. 

3.  —  treasure  up,  &c.  :  i.  e.  in  thy  memory,  for  the  purpose  of 
strictly  punishing  them. 

4.  —  That  thou  mayst  be  feared,  Hope  of  mercy  leads  to  the 
reverence  and  love  of  God.  Despair  would  engage  one  for  ever  in  a 
course  of  sin.  Before  the  prodigal  can  return  to  his  father,  he  must 
feel  sure  that  he  has  a  father  to  whom  he  can  return. 

8.  . —  From  all  his  iniquities  :  i.  e.  from  the  consequences,  or 
punishment,  of  them. 

Ps.  CXXXI. 

This  psalm  may  have  been  composed  by  David,  when  he  was  ac- 
cused of  aiming  to  deprive  Saul  of  his  throne.  It  may  have  been 
used  by  the  Jews  after  the  captivity,  on  account  of  the  accusations  of 
Sanballat. 

2.  —  Like  a  iceaned  child  :  i.  e.  I  commit  myself  to  thy  care, 
acquiesce  in  my  condition,  and  submit  to  be  disposed  of  as  thou 
pleasest. 


36Q  NOTES. 


Ps.  CXXXII. 


6,  —  heard  of  it  at  Ephratah^  &c.  Epkratah  probably  here 
denotes  the  country  of  Ephraim,  in  which  was  Shiloh,  where  the  ark 
of  God  remained  several  years.  The  fields  of  Jaar  probably  refer  to 
Kirjath-jearirn,  where  the  ark  was  kept  a  long  time.  The  meaning 
in  connection  with  what  follows  seems  to  be,  that,  having  heard  of 
the  ark  in  different  and  distant  places,  and  as  removed  from  place 
to  place,  they  might  now  rejoice  that  it  had  a  settled  abode. 

15.  —  hless  her  provision^  &c.  To  Zion,  regarded  as  represent- 
ing the  nation,  abundance  and  prosperity  are  promised. 

16.  —  clothe  her  priests  with  salvation  :  i.  e.  cause  them  to  give 
continual  thanks  for  salvation  granted  to  the  people. 

17.  —  a  light,  &c.  This  was  an  emblem  of  splendor  and  pros- 
perity.    See  xviii.  28,  Job  xxix.  3,  and  the  note. 


Ps.  CXXXIII. 

2.  — precious  perfume,  &c.  See  the  note  on  Eccles.  vii.  1. 
—  the  border  of  his  garments:  i.  e.,  as  seems  probable,  the  upper 
border,  which  went  round  his  neck. 

3.  Like  the  dew  of  Hermon.  In  a  country  where  little  or  no  rain 
falls  except  at  particular  seasons,  the  dew  is  most  grateful  to  the 
parched  hills.  It  also  descends  in  abundance.  "  We  were  suf- 
ficiently instructed  by  experience  what  the  holy  Psalmist  means  by 
the  dew  of  Hermon,  our  tents  being  as  wet  with  it  as  if  it  had 
rained  all  night."  — Maundrell's  Journey,  &c.,  p.  97,  Amer,  edit. 


Ps.  CXXXIV. 

1.  —  by  night.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  priests  and  Levites  to 
serve  in  the  temple  day  and  night.  The  service  by  night  is  men- 
tioned in  particular,  as  being  more  arduous.  Levit.  viii.  35,1  Chron. 
ix.  33. 

2.  —  to  the  sanctuary.      See  xxviii.  2. 


NOTES.  361 


Ps.  CXXXVII. 

This  beautiful  psalm  was  probably  written  very  soon  after  tiie 
captivity  in  Babylon,  while  the  memory  of  the  sufferings  and  indig- 
nities connected  with  it  was  fresh  in  the  mind  of  the  author. 

5.  —  her  cunning.  In  this  connection,  skill  in  playing  on  the 
harp  seems  to  be  referred  to.  Otherwise,  Let  my  right  hand  forget 
me. 

6.  —  m,ij  tongue  cleave.,  &lc.  :  i.  e.  refuse  its  office  in  singing. 

7.  —  children  of  Edom  :  who  had  shown  great  hostility  to  the 
Israelites,  and  joined  with  th«  Chaldseans  in  effecting  the  destruc- 
tion of  Jerusalem.  Comp.  Ezek.  xxv.  12,  Obad.  10.  Respecting 
the  imprecations  in  ver.  7-9,  with  which  the  patriotic  can  in  some 
degree  sympathize,  but  which  the  Christian  can  scarcely  approve, 
see  p.  14,  &c. 

Ps.  CXXXVIII. 

This  psalm  is  commonly  supposed  to  refer  to  the  circumstances 
of  David,  when,  after  the  death  of  Saul,  he  was  established  on  the 
throne.  The  term  "^DT?  temple.,  ver.  2,  seems  to  point  to  a  later 
age  than  that  of  David. 

1.  —  Before  the  gods  :  i.  e.  Before  the  kings  of  the  earth.  See 
ver.  4.  Otherwise,  Before  the  angels  of  God  ;  otherwise.  Before 
Go  . 

2.  —  thy  promise  above  all  thy  praise :  i.  e.  thou  hast  fulfilled  thy 
promise,  and  more  than  fulfilled  it,  and  hast  done  more  than  has 
ever  been  said  or  conceived  of  thee. 

6,  —  knoweth  from  afar :  i.  e.  takes  cognizance  of  them  for  the 
purpose  of  punishment. 

8.  —  Forsake  not  the  works  of  thine  hands  :  i.  e.  Complete  what 
thy  hands  have  begun. 

Ps.  CXXXIX. 

It  appears,  from  ver.  19-24,  that  this  admirable  psalm,  to  at- 
tempt to  set  forth  the  excellence  of  wiiich  by  descriptive  epithets 
would  be  folly,  was  in  some  degree  occasional.  The  author  seems 
to  have  been  led  to  the  composition  of  it  by  false  charges  against 
the  uprightness  of  his  intentions,  and  the  sincerity  and  purity  of  his 
31 


362  NOTES. 

course,  in  respect  to  the  worship  and  service  of  Jehovah.  On 
account  of  the  reference  to  idolatry,  and  certain  Chaldaizing  forms 
vi'hich  occur  in  it,  some  critics  refer  the  psalm  to  a  later  age  than 
that  of  David. 

5.  —  laycst  thine  hand  upon  me  :  i.  e.  hast  nie  completely  in  thy 
povirer. 

9.  —  wings  of  the  morning :  i.  e.  if  I  could  move  as  swiftly  as 
the  rays  of  the  morning  sun,  which  in  an  instant  go  from  one  end 
of  heaven  to  the  other. 

15.  —  curiously  wrought  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth.  This 
language  seems  to  amount  to  the  same  thing  as  that  in  ver.  13, 
Thou  didst  weave  me  in  my  mother's  womb,  i.  e,  in  as  dark  a  place 
as  the  lower  parts  of  the  earth. 

17.  How  precious  to  me  are  thy  thoughts:  i.  e.  How  highly 
valued,  precious  in  the  contemplation,  are  thy  purposes  of  wisdom 
and  goodness,  as  displayed  in  the  formation  and  care  of  man  !  It 
appears  to  me  that  De  Wette  and  Gesenius  unnecessarily  depart 
from  the  common  meaning  of  the  term  'ip"'^  when  they  ascribe  to  it 
here  the  meaning  incomprehensiUe^  inconceivable. 

18.  —  When  I  aicake,  I  am  still  toith  thee :  i.  e.  I  am  still  engaged 
in  meditating  upon  thee,  and  what  thou  hast  done. 

24.  —  in  the  ancient  way :  i.  e.  the  good  old  way  of  the  worship 
of  Jehovah,  sanctioned  by  the  patriarchs,  Abraham,  Isaac,  and 
Jacob.     Comp.  Jer.  vi.  16. 

Ps.  CXL. 

This  psalm  is  commonly  supposed  to  have  been  composed  by 
David  in  reference  to  the  persecution  of  Saul  and  his  courtiers. 

3.  —  sharpen  their  tongues  like  a  serpent.  Perhaps  there  may 
be  reference  to  the  serpent's  putting  out  his  forked  tongue,  and 
moving  it  rapidly,  so  as  to  appear  to  sharpen  it. 


Ps.   CXLI. 

If  this  psalm  was  written  by  David,  it  may  have  had  the  same 
general  occasion  as  the  last.  But  it  seems  to  contain  no  special 
allusions  to  the  circumstances  of  David.  It  is  most  probable  that 
the  author  and  the  occasion  of  the  psalm  are  unknown. 

4.   — eat  of  their  delicacies :  i.  e.   associate  with  them  at  their 


NOTES.  363 

sumptuous  feasts,  where  their  evil  designs  are  discussed.  Or,  the 
expression  may  be  a  figurative  one  to  denote  participation  in  their 
cherished  designs. 

5.  —  oil  for  my  head  :  as  grateful  as  perfumed  oil,  which  was 
poured  on  the  head  of  guests.  See  cxxxiii.  2,  and  the  note.  Comp. 
Prov.  xxvii.  6,  Eccles.  vii.  5.  But  now  I  pray  against  their 
wickedness :  i.  e.  But  now,  when  I  experience  treatment  the  re- 
verse of  what  is  right  and  kind,  I  am  impatient  under  it,  and  pray 
against  my  enemies  who  inflict  it.  See  Doederlein's  Scholia  ad 
loo.  The  pronoun  their  refers  to  the  enemies  of  the  poet,  whom  he 
mentions  in  the  next  verse, 

6.  —  over  the  side  of  the  rock :  according  to  an  ancient  mode 
of  punishing  malefactors.  See  2  Chron.  xxv.  12.  —  Then  let 
them  hear  my  words,  &c.  "  But  how,"  asks  RosenmCiller,  "  could 
they  hear  his  words,  after  being  thrown  from  the  rock?  "  But  this 
question  makes  no  allowance  for  the  language  of  passionate  emo- 
tion, which  will  not  bear  a  strict  analysis.  St.  Paul  says  that  he 
delivered  Hymeneus  and  Alexander  to  Satan,  that  they  might  learn 
not  to  blaspheme.  An  uncompromising  teacher  !  we  might  say, 
in  the  spirit  of  RosenmUller's  question.  We  may,  however,  sup- 
pose that  the  words,  let  them  hear,  refer  to  the  survivors,  the  people 
warned  by  the  fate  of  the  judges  or  rulers. 

7.  Our  hones  are  scattered,  &c. :  i.  e.  The  bones  of  our  country- 
men, friends,  or  followers.  This  may  be  understood  as  a  literal 
description  of  what  had  been  done  by  the  enemies  of  the  writer,  or 
as  a  metaphorical  description  of  the  low  condition  to  which  he  and 
his  followers  were  reduced. 


Ps.  CXLII. 

According  to  the  Hebrew  inscription,  this  psalm  was  composed 
by  David  to  express  the  feelings  which  he  had  while  in  the  cave 
of  Adullam,  1  Sam.  eh.  xxii.,  or  in  that  of  Engedi,  1  Sam.  ch.  xxiv. 
Some  suppose  this  title  to  have  been  a  conjecture  of  the  person 
who  placed  it  there,  founded  on  verse  seventh.  Bring  me  out  of 
prison,  &c. 

3.  —  was  overwhelmed,  —  kneioest :  better,  —  is  overwhelmed^ 
—  knowest,  &c. 

7.    —  out  of  prison  :  i.  e.  out  of  my  distress. 


364  NOTES. 


Ps.  CXLIII. 


This  psalm,  if  composed  by  David,  may  refer  to  his  distress  dur- 
ing his  persecution  by  Saul,  or  during  the  rebellion  of  Absalom. 
This  is  one  of  the  psalms  which  some  Jewish  and  some  modern 
critics  suppose  to  be  designed  for  the  use  of  the  whole  people,  per- 
sonified as  a  single  individual  in  distress.  Without  doubt,  many  of 
the  psalms  were  designed  for  the  use  of  the  whole  people  of  Israel, 
like  Christian  hymns  for  the  use  of  a  congregation.  But  whether 
there  is  a  personification  of  the  people  in  the  psalms  of  complaint 
is  very  doubtful.  Such  a  view  needs  more  positive  support  than 
we  find  in  those  psalms. 

3.  —  in  darkness :  i.  e.  in  hopeless  calamity.  See  the  next 
verse. 

Ps.  CXLIV. 

This  psalm,  if  composed  by  David,  seems  to  refer  to  a  time  when 
he  was  established  on  the  throne,  but  was  yet  exposed  to  many 
dangers  from  his  own  rebellious  subjects,  and  from  the  Philistines, 
and  other  foreign  enemies.  It  contains  so  many  verses  borrowed 
from  other  psalms,  that  there  is  considerable  plausibility  in  the  con- 
jecture of  De  Wette,  that  it  was  composed,  or  rather  compiled,  long 
after  the  age  of  David. 

3.    Comp.  viii.  4. 

5.  Comp.  xviii.  9. 

6.  Comp.  xviii.  14. 

7.  Comp.  xviii.  16. 

12.  —  Groicn  up  in  their  youth.  It  is  somewhat  doubtful,  whether 
this  line  belongs  to  sons  or  io  plants.  The  expression  in  their  youthj 
in  the  Hebrew,  is  not  applied  to  plants,  but  only  to  persons,  and 
thus  favors  the  former  application.  On  the  other  hand,  it  may  be 
said  that  the  term  youth  may  be  used  metaphorically. 

14.  —  breaking  in:  i.  e.  of  enemies  into  the  walls  of  our  cities. 
—  going  out :  i.  e.  in  flight,  or  into  captivity. 


Ps.  CXLV. 

Tiiis  is  another  of  the  alphabetical  psalms,  constructed  like  the 


NOTES.  365 

twenty-fifth  and  thirty-fourth.  See  p.  47,  &c.  The  ancient  Jews 
had  so  high  an  opinion  of  its  excellence,  that  they  used  to  say,  that 
a  man  could  not  fail  to  be  a  child  of  the  world  to  come,  who  would 
repeat  this  psalm  three  times  every  day. 

9.    Jehovah  is  good,  &c. :  read.  The  Lord  is  good,  &c. 


Ps.   CXLVI. 

This  is  a  psalm  of  solemn  praise  to  God,  designed  probably  for 
public  worship  in  the  temple.  It  is  a  very  ancient  opinion,  that  it 
was  composed  after  the  return  from  the  captivity,  being  ascribed  in 
the  Septuagint  version  to  Haggai  and  Zechariah. 

8.  —  openeth  the  eyes  of  the  blind.  This  is  probably  a  figurative 
expression,  denoting  that  the  Lord  restores  from  distress  to  pros- 
perity, when  there  are  no  hopes  from  human  aid.  Comp.  Is.  xxxv. 
5,  xlii.  7. 

9.  —  he  maketh  crooked  :  i.  e.  defeats  their  designs  ;  prevents 
them  from  attaining  the  object  at  which  they  aim. 


Ps.  CXLVII. 

This  psalm  appears,  from  ver.  2,  in  connection  with  13  and  14, 
to  have  been  composed  after  the  return  from  the  captivity. 

3.  —  the  broken  in  heart :  an  instance  of  which  is  his  restoring 
those  who  were  exiles  at  Babylon. 

10.  —  in  the  feet  of  men  :  i.  e.  not  in  infantry  more  than  in 
cavalry.  He  needs  neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  Otherwise, 
feet  of  men  may  denote  swiftness  of  foot,  which  was  considered  a 
great  accomplishment  in  an  ancient  warrior. 

15.  —  His  word  runneth  very  swiftly :  i.  e.  that  which  he  com- 
mands is  speedily  effected. 

18,    He  sendeth  forth  his  word:  i.  e.  gives  command. 


Ps.  CXLVIII. 

1.  — from  the  heavens :  i.  e.  ye  angels  who  are  from  the  heav- 
ens, in  contradistinction  from  things  on  the  earth,  ver.  7.  —  in  the 
hei<rhts  :  i.  e.  the  heavens. 


366  NOTES. 

2.   —  all  ye  his  hosts :  i.  e.  of  angels.     Comp.  1  Kings  xxii.  19. 
4.   —  Ye  waters^  &c.     Comp.  civ.  3,  Gen.  i.  7. 
9.    —  all  cedars :  which  are  mentioned  in  particular  as  represent- 
ing all  wild  trees. 

14.   —  near  to  him.     Comp.  Deut.  iv.  7. 


Ps.  CXLIX. 

This  psalm  contains  no  indications  of  the  time  when  it  was  com- 
posed. The  conjecture  of  Theodoret,  that  it  was  written  after  the 
return  from  the  captivity,  when  the  nation  was  established,  and  had 
obtained  considerable  success  over  their  enemies,  seems  to  be  as 
plausible  as  any. 

1.  —  a  new  song.  The  epithet  new  seems  to  denote  nothing 
more  than  that  the  psalm  had  not  been  before  sung,  implying,  per- 
haps, that  there  was  new  occasion  to  sing  the  praise  of  God. 

2.  —  in  him  that  made  him:  i.  e.  as  a  nation.  Comp.  Deut. 
xxxiii.  6. 

4.  - —  icith  salvation  :  i.  e.  deliverance  from  their  enemies,  or 
victory  over  them.  The  distressed  probably  denote  here  the  people 
of  Israel,  mentioned  in  the  parallel  line. 

5.  —  in  their  glory  :  i.  e.  the  glorious  condition  in  which  God, 
their  king,  has  placed  them. 

6.  —  a  tico-edged  sword,  &c.  Comp.  ii.,  ex.,  &c.,  Neh.  iv. 
13,  &c. 

9.  —  which  is  written.  This  may  refer  to  the  command  given 
to  the  Israelites  to  destroy  the  nations  of  Palestine,  in  Deut.  ch.  vii., 
or,  more  probably,  to  what  is  written  in  the  book  of  the  divine 
mind,  and  referred  to  in  ii.,  ex.,  &c.  Comp.  Ivi.  8,  cxxxix.  16, 
Jude,  ver.  4,  Rev.  xiii.  8,  xx.  15. 


Ps.  CL. 

It  may  be  supposed  that  the  first  and  last  lines  of  this  psalm  were 
ng   by  the  whole  company  of  singers,  and   that   the   other  lines 

were  sung  responsively  by  different  portions  of  it. 

1.    —  in  his  sanctuary  :  i.  e.  in  the  temple.     —  m  his  glorious 

firmament :  i.  e.  in  heaven,  referring  to  the  angels. 


su 


NOTES.  367 

5.  —  cymbals,  &c.  For  what  information  may  be  had  respect- 
ing the  musical  instruments  of  the  Hebrews,  see  PfeifFer  on  the 
Music  of  the  Ancient  Hebrews,  translated  in  the  Biblical  Repository 
for  October,  1835;  Jahn's  Archaeology,  §  92-96. 


THE    END. 


BS195.2.N951846 

A  new  translation  of  the  book  of  Psalms, 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


7 


1012  00150  1651 


